Safety and effectiveness of anticoagulant therapy in elderly patients undergoing myocardial revascularization: an integrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34119/bjhrv8n4-131Keywords:
anticoagulants, hemorrhage, myocardial revascularization, elderlyAbstract
Anticoagulation is an essential pillar in the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic diseases, especially conditions such as atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism. With the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), new therapeutic approaches have emerged, bringing advantages in terms of safety and practicality, especially for the elderly population. This integrative review analyzed clinical studies and recent guidelines on the use of anticoagulants, with an emphasis on the pharmacological aspects, indications, efficacy and safety of these drugs in elderly patients. Evidence shows that DOACs have comparable efficacy to warfarin, with a lower risk of serious bleeding and fewer drug interactions. However, their use still has limitations, such as the lack of widely available laboratory tests for monitoring and their high cost, which may restrict their access. The choice of anticoagulant should be individualized, considering age, renal function and risk of bleeding. In elderly patients, this decision requires extra attention due to their greater clinical vulnerability. Despite the challenges, DOACs represent a significant advance, and continuous monitoring is essential to ensure adherence, efficacy and safety in treatment.
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