[Safety of oral anticoagulation in aged patients with heart diseases].
BACKGROUND
Anticoagulation therapy in the elderly poses some doubts on the possible increase in hemorrhagic risk. The hemorrhagic complications in a population of patients over 70 years of age anticoagulated with acenocoumarol by heart disease were studied.


METHODS
A study was made of seventy-two patients (43 females and 29 males; mean age: 73 years) anticoagulated for one year and controlled on an outpatient basis by means of INR (international normalized ratio) measurement with a maximal interval of four weeks. INR values above 4.5 or below 2.0 were considered out of range.


RESULTS
Nineteen patients had an INR above the recommended value on one occasion and eleven patients on two or more occasions. Sixteen patients had hemorrhagic complications, five were admitted on account of hemorrhages although none of them required transfusional therapy. No cases of brain hemorrhage or peripheral embolism occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Most anticoagulated elderly patients were within their therapeutic range. The percentage of severe hemorrhagic complications was low. Advanced age had did not prove to be a factor against therapy with oral anticoagulants.
García Garay
M C
MC
Servicio de Hematología, Hospital General Universitario de Alicante.
Marín Ortuño
F
F
Roldán Schilling
V
V
Martínez Martínez
J G
JG
Marco Vera
P
P
Sogorb Garri
F
F
D000074:Acenocoumarol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010045:Outpatients; D013997:Time Factors
D000925:Anticoagulants; D000074:Acenocoumarol
Seguridad en la anticoagulación oral en ancianos con cardiopatía.