pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Drug Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism in the Elderly - PubMed

Review

Drug Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism in the Elderly

Jir Ping Boey et al. Drugs Aging. 2016 Jul.

Abstract

Half of all patients with acute venous thromboembolism are aged over 70 years; they then face the added hazard of an age-related increase in the incidence of major bleeding. This makes it even more important to weigh the balance of benefit and risk when considering anticoagulant treatment and treatment duration. Traditional treatment with a heparin (usually low molecular weight) followed by a vitamin K antagonist such as warfarin is effective but is often complicated, especially in the elderly. The direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs), i.e. the thrombin inhibitor dabigatran and the factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban, are given in fixed doses, do not need laboratory monitoring, have fewer drug-drug interactions and are therefore much easier to take. Randomised trials, their meta-analyses and 'real-world' data indicate the DOACs are no less effective than warfarin (are non-inferior) and probably cause less major bleeding (especially intracranial). It seems the relative safety of DOACs extends to age above 65 or 70 years, although bleeding becomes more likely regardless of the chosen anticoagulant. Renal impairment, comorbidities (especially cancer) and interventions are special hazards. Ways to minimise bleeding include patient selection and follow-up, education about venous thromboembolism, anticoagulants, drug interactions, regular checks on adherence and avoiding needlessly prolonged treatment. The relatively short circulating half-lives of DOACs mean that time, local measures and supportive care are the main response to major bleeding. They also simplify the management of invasive interventions. An antidote for dabigatran, idarucizumab, was recently approved by regulators, and a general antidote for factor Xa inhibitors is in advanced development.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Thromb Haemost. 2014 Apr 1;111(4):618-24 - PubMed
    1. Am J Med. 2013 May;126(5):425-434.e1 - PubMed
    1. J Thromb Haemost. 2014 Apr;12(4):436-43 - PubMed
    1. Stroke. 2015 Sep;46(9):2555-61 - PubMed
    1. Haematologica. 2007 Feb;92(2):199-205 - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

LinkOut - more resources