Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant use in the elderly: a prospective real-world study - data from the REGIstry of patients on Non-vitamin K oral Anticoagulants (REGINA).
Vasc Health Risk Manag 2019;
15:19-25. [PMID:
30833810 PMCID:
PMC6378887 DOI:
10.2147/vhrm.s191208]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose
Numerous studies on thromboembolic prevention for non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) have shown either equal or better efficacy and safety of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) compared to warfarin, even for patients aged ≥75 years. Data on elderly patients, in particular, octogenarians, are lacking. Paradoxically, this population is the one with the highest risk of bleeding and stroke with a worse prognosis. This study aims to describe safety and effectiveness of NOACs in an elderly comorbid population.
Patients and methods
REGIstry of patients on Non-vitamin K oral Anticoagulants (REGINA) is a prospective observational study enrolling consecutive NVAF patients started on NOACs and followed up to 1 year (at 1, 6, 12 months). The primary endpoint was the incidence rate of major bleeding (MB) and clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB). The secondary endpoints were the incidence of 1) stroke or systemic embolism, 2) hospitalization, 3) death, and 4) drug-related adverse events.
Results
We enrolled 227 patients aged 81.6±6.1 years (range 67–95 years; ≥80 years in 59.4%). The median CHA2DS2-VASc was 5 (IQR 4–5) and HAS-BLED was 4 (IQR 3–5). The estimated glomerular filtration rate was 59.27±24.12 mL/min. During follow-up, only 10 MB and 23 CRNMB occurred, with a total incidence of 4.4% (95% CI: 1.7%–7.17%) and 5.7% (95% CI: 2.68%–8.72%), respectively. There were 2 cerebral ischemic events, with a total incidence of 0.88% (95% CI: 0.84%–0.92%), 23 NOAC-related hospitalizations, no NOAC-related deaths, and 4 minor drug-related adverse effects.
Conclusion
In a population of aged and clinically complex patients, mainly octogenarians, NOACs were safe and effective.
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