Prevalence and Antithrombotic Management of Atrial Fibrillation in the Elderly Patients

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events like stroke which is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. If AF is treated with anticoagulant therapy in selected patients, it improves outcome in such patients. Out of 200 elderly patients aged between 65 to 78 years of age selected for the study 30 patients (15%) were diagnosed as Atrial Fibrillation. Out of these 30 patients with AF 7(23.3%) were alcoholic, 6(20%) had generalized anxiety, 8(26.6%) had stressful life, 5(16.6%) were having over intake of salt and fatty food, 4(13.3%) were tobacco chewers. Seven patients (23.3%) were hypertensive, 5(10.6%) had Diabetes mellitus, 8(26.6%) had coronary heart disease, 4(13.3%) had hyperthyroidism, 3(10%) had abnormal cardiac valve, 3(10%) had peripheral arterial diseases. In the study of Bleeding risk scores Atria Scores had-3 anemic, 2 had severe renal disease, 1 was above 76 years of age, 2 had HTN. In HAS-BLED score 1 had HTN, 1 had abnormal liver or kidney function, 1 had stroke, 1 had bleeding, 1 was above 76 years of age, 1 had drug or alcohol abuse, In Hemorrhagic score 1 had hepatic or renal disease, 1 was above 75, 1 had reduced platelet count, 1 had re-bleeding, 1 had HTN, 1was anemic, 1 had genetic factor, 1 had stroke. Aspirin and clopidogrel are in routine use as antithrombotic while heparin and various oral agents are widely used as anticoagulant. This study in elderly patient highlights the need for screening for detection and appropriate treatment of AF to prevent various embolic complications like stroke and mitigate the burden of high morbidity and mortality in such patients.