Abstract
Background and objectiveElderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are known to have a high risk of stroke and bleeding. We investigated the effectiveness and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in octogenarian patients with non-valvular AF compared with warfarin.MethodsA total of 687 octogenarian patients with AF who were administered NOACs (n = 403) or warfarin (n = 284) for stroke prevention between 2012 and 2016 were included. Thromboembolic (TE) events (stroke or systemic embolism), major bleeding events, and all-cause death were analyzed.ResultsThe NOACs group (age 83.4±3.2 years, women 52.4%, CHA2DS2-VASc score 5.0±1.8) comprised 141 dabigatran, 158 rivaroxaban, and 104 apixaban users. Most patients from the NOACs group had been prescribed a reduced dose of medication (85.6%). During 14±18 months of follow-up periods, there were 19 TE events and 18 major bleeding events. Patients with NOAC showed a lower risk of TE (1.84 vs. 2.71 per 100 person-years, hazard ration [HR] 0.134, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.038–0.479, P = 0.002), major bleeding (1.48 vs. 2.72 per 100 person-years, HR 0.110, 95% CI 0.024–0.493, P = 0.001), and all-cause death (2.57 vs. 3.50 per 100 person-years, HR 0.298, 95% CI 0.108–0.824, P = 0.020).ConclusionIn octogenarian Asian patients with AF, NOACs might be associated with lower risks of thromboembolic events, major bleeding, and all-cause death than warfarin. Although most patients had received reduced doses, on-label use of NOACs was effective and safe.
Highlights
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia observed in elderly patients, and one of the major causes of stroke in this population
We investigated the effectiveness and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in octogenarian patients with non-valvular AF compared with warfarin
Patients with NOAC showed a lower risk of TE (1.84 vs. 2.71 per 100 person-years, hazard ration [HR] 0.134, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.038–0.479, P = 0.002), major bleeding (1.48 vs. 2.72 per 100 person-years, HR 0.110, 95% CI 0.024–0.493, P = 0.001), and all-cause death (2.57 vs. 3.50 per 100 person-years, HR 0.298, 95% CI 0.108–0.824, P = 0.020)
Summary
Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are known to have a high risk of stroke and bleeding. We investigated the effectiveness and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in octogenarian patients with non-valvular AF compared with warfarin
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