title: Fall risk and anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation in the elderly: A delicate balance.
abstract: Guidelines for managing atrial fibrillation recommend systemic anticoagulation for almost all patients age 65 and older, but in practice up to 50% of older patients do not receive maintenance anticoagulation therapy. The most common reason physicians cite for withholding anticoagulation in older patients with atrial fibrillation is a perception of a high risk of falling and associated bleeding, especially intracranial hemorrhage.
authors.affiliation: Fellow in Cardiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hagerty
authors.affiliation: Director, Cardiac Rapid Evaluation Unit, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO, USA.|Professor of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA. mrich@wustl.edu.
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Rich
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D020300:Intracranial Hemorrhages / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants