Novel oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention in the geriatric population.
Prior to the availability of several newer anticoagulant medications, there had been no new advances in anticoagulation management for stroke prevention since the advent of warfarin in the 1950s. The availability of the novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) dabigatran, rivaroxaban,and apixaban represent improvements over warfarin in many respects, including the elimination of the need for therapeutic drug monitoring, fewer drug and food interactions,and favorable efficacy; however, these agents are not without risk. Specifically, the use of the NOACs in the geriatric population, who are more likely to have an increased risk of stroke due to atrial fibrillation and other medical comorbidities, is not without risk. The objective of this review is to update the clinician on the use of the NOACs in the geriatric population and introduce the controversies and risks surrounding these newer therapies.
Daniel
D
Kim
Richard
R
Barna
Mary Barna
MB
Bridgeman
Luigi
L
Brunetti
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015195:Drug Design; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000925:Anticoagulants