Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Abstract

Practical Experience with Anticoagulation Therapy in an Elderly Polymorbid Rehabilitation Population: What did we Learn?

Helen Schmidt, Felix Angst, Andreas R Gantenbein, Susanne Lehmann, André Aeschlimann and Jürg-Hans Beer

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the prescription patterns of oral anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy in an elderly population in rehabilitation hospitals. Methods: 200 patients, after undergoing knee/hip surgery or after a stroke, were evaluated over a time span of one year. Results: All patients necessitated anticoagulation; the average number of medications taken was 8. The most frequent combination was the new oral anticoagulation with antiplatelet agents. 35% of the patients on this combination therapy did not receive proton pump inhibitors. Conclusion: The increased use of the new oral anticoagulation medicine increases the frequency of dual therapy. Careful and repetitive investigation of indications, benefits and negative side-effects should be considered in order to reduce complications.