Dabigatran for stroke prevention in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: focus in the geriatric population

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of dabigatran for stroke prevention in the elderly population.

MEDLINE (1948-June 2013), Web of Science (1980-June 2013), and Google Scholar were used to identify relevant literature. Search terms included dabigatran, dabigatran etexilate, geriatric, elderly.

All articles evaluating the use of dabigatran in the elderly were considered for inclusion. Data derived from controlled clinical studies were given priority for inclusion.

Only the Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulant Therapy trial has evaluated dabigatran etexilate for the prevention of stroke in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. A post hoc analysis of this study was completed to identify the risks and benefits of therapy in patients 75 years of age and older. Numerous case reports and case series have been published that suggest an increased risk of bleeding in the elderly. Large observational studies, however, have not supported the hypotheses generated by these case reports.

Since the approval of dabigatran etexilate, numerous case reports have suggested the potential dangers of bleeding complications, especially given that there is no known antidote. Observational studies have challenged these case reports and suggest that the increased risk of bleeding is similar or lower compared with warfarin therapy. The increased reporting of bleeding complications may be a result of reporting bias.

Advanced age alone should not exclude the use of dabigatran. Clinicians should base their decision on patient characteristics and careful assessment of risk versus benefit.