title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Cardiology, Thrombosis Centre, University of Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pengo
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000367:Age Factors; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin