Anticoagulation of the Elderly Patient.

The optimal management of various thromboembolic and vascular disorders often entails the use of long term oral anticoagulant therapy. These disorders are generally more prevalent in the elderly than in the young. Hemorrhage is the most common complication of anticoagulant therapy. Although studies have provided conflicting results, it is likely that the elderly are at increased risk of major hemorrhage during prolonged treatment with oral anticoagulants. This review will discuss the reasons why older patients may be at increased risk for anticoagulant related bleeding, the clinical implications of this increased hemorrhagic risk, and strategies for reducing the frequency of major hemorrhage in this growing patient population. (c)1999 by CVRR, Inc.