Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 20, 2026

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

84.8K

[Optimal stroke prevention in the geriatric patient with atrial fibrillation: position paper of an interdisciplinary

P Bahrmann, M Wehling, D Ropers

    MMW Fortschritte Der Medizin
    |November 25, 2014
    PubMed

    Insights

    Geriatric patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) should generally receive oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention. Comprehensive assessments guide treatment decisions, with novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) offering improved safety and efficacy in this population.

    Area of Science:

    • Geriatrics
    • Cardiology
    • Neurology

    Background:

    • Optimal stroke prevention in geriatric patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear.
    • Geriatric AF patients often undertreated due to comorbidities, adherence concerns, and bleeding risks, particularly falls.
    • Established risk scores indicate a clear need for anticoagulation in high-risk geriatric AF patients.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To provide expert recommendations on stroke prevention in geriatric patients with atrial fibrillation.
    • To address challenges in anticoagulation management for elderly patients with AF.

    Main Methods:

    • Summary of an expert panel discussion among hospital-based and office-based physicians experienced in geriatric care.
    • Review of current evidence and clinical practice regarding anticoagulation in elderly AF patients.

    Main Results:

    • Geriatric patients should receive oral anticoagulation unless a thorough assessment indicates otherwise.
    • Patients with a history of falls require comprehensive evaluation; those with CHADS2 score ≥ 2 should be anticoagulated regardless of fall risk.
    • Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) present an improved benefit-risk ratio over vitamin K antagonists in geriatric AF patients, simplifying management.

    Conclusions:

    • Oral anticoagulation is recommended as a standard treatment for geriatric patients with AF.
    • Individualized assessment, including validated geriatric tools, is crucial for treatment decisions.
    • NOACs offer advantages in managing AF-related stroke risk in the elderly, with non-renally eliminated options being preferable.
    Abstract

    More Related Videos

    Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation28:13

    Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

    Published on: February 26, 2013

    34.4K
    Non-fluoroscopic Catheter Tracking for Fluoroscopy Reduction in Interventional Electrophysiology10:46

    Non-fluoroscopic Catheter Tracking for Fluoroscopy Reduction in Interventional Electrophysiology

    Published on: May 26, 2015

    14.0K

    Related Concept Videos

    Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

    Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

    Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
    880
    Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias01:25

    Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias

    Dysrhythmia management involves a multifaceted approach, incorporating pharmacological treatments, medical procedures, surgical interventions, lifestyle modifications, and patient education.Pharmacological ManagementAntiarrhythmic Drugs:Class I (Sodium Channel Blockers): This class includes quinidine and procainamide, which reduce the speed of impulse conduction in the heart, stabilize the cardiac membrane, and control arrhythmias. Quinidine and procainamide are Class IA agents that prolong the...
    650
    Atherosclerosis IV: Nursing Management01:23

    Atherosclerosis IV: Nursing Management

    Nursing management for a patient with arteriosclerosis involves a comprehensive approach focusing on lifestyle modification, disease monitoring, education, and symptomatic care. Here is an overview of effective nursing strategies:Assessment and Monitoring: Initial and ongoing assessments are crucial. Nurses must document the patient's medical history, including any hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and other cardiovascular diseases. Assessments also cover family history and lifestyle...
    601
    Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

    Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

    Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
    477
    Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

    Atherosclerosis III: Management

    Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
    650
    Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients01:15

    Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

    Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
    376