Oral Anticoagulant Therapy in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

ABSTRACT

In the absence of contraindications, patients with atrial fibrillation and at least one major risk factor for stroke should receive long-term oral anticoagulant treatment to prevent atrial thrombus formation. Because age of more than 75 years is a major risk factor for stroke, but is also a risk factor for major bleeding, the decision to treat elderly patients with anticoagulants should be made on an individual basis.

KEYWORDS

atrial fibrillation - warfarin - INR - stroke - bleeding

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