Bleeding risk with rivaroxaban compared with vitamin K antagonists in patients aged 80 years or older with atrial fibrillation

Direct oral anticoagulants have been evaluated in the general population, but proper evidence for their safe use in the geriatric population is lacking. This study compared the bleeding risk of a direct oral anticoagulant (rivaroxaban) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) among French geriatric patients aged 80 years and above with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) In this sequential observational prospective cohort study, data from 33 geriatric centres comprised of 908 patients newly initiated on VKAs and 995 patients newly initiated on rivaroxaban. They were followed up for up to 12 months, and risks of major, intracerebral, gastrointestinal bleedings, ischaemic stroke and all-cause mortality were compared between rivaroxaban-treated and VKA-treated patients The study showed that 47 % RR in major bleeding and 74% RR in intracerebral bleeding in rivaroxaban-treated patients compared to VKA-treated patients In conclusion the study indicates that bleeding risk, is lower with rivaroxaban than with VKA therapy, thus helping in stroke prevention in patients 80 years and above with non-valvular AF. Disclaimer: Lupin makes no representation or warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any scientific information shared by the HCP on the ­­­STAR UPDATE podcast. You should not allow the contents of this to substitute for your own medical judgment, which you should exercise in evaluating the information on this website.