Warfarin pharmacology, clinical management, and evaluation of hemorrhagic risk for the elderly.
Elderly patients as a group may present more of a challenge in managing warfarin therapy because of alterations in pharmacokinetics from other medications, diet, and disease; pharmacodynamic changes; increased risk for hemorrhage; and difficulty in monitoring. The elderly, however, may derive the most benefit from warfarin therapy for certain indications, such as the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation or recurrent events following deep venous thrombosis. Warfarin can be managed as effectively as in other populations with careful attention to these issues.
Jacobs
Laurie G
LG
Division of Geriatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10467, USA. lajacobs@montefiore.org
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin