Effects of anticoagulant therapy in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation

Objective: To explore the use of warfarin as anticoagulation agent in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation.Methods: A total of 120 patients were randomly divided into treatment group(n=60 cases),observation group Ⅰ(n=30 cases) and the observation group Ⅱ(n=30 cases).The treatment group was treated with warfarin,while observation group Ⅰand Ⅱwas given 50 mg/d and 100 mg/d aspirin,respectively.Follow up was conducted for 6 months-1 year.Stable anticoagulation intensity(INR) values,the effective maintenance dose of warfarin,and the incidence of bleeding and embolic complications were observed,Relationship between the incidence of hemorrhage and thromboembolism and warfarin INR was analyzed.Results: Incidence of bleeding,hemorrhage or thromboembolism was not significant different among the three groups(P0.05).Significant difference in cerebral embolism was observed between observation group ⅠⅡ(P0.05).Therapeutic effects of the treatment group was better that that of the two observation groups.Warfarin INR between 2.1-2.9 showed better treatment effects in preventing thrombus than those with INR between 1.0～2.0.Conclusions: In case intensity of anticoagulation INR was controlled lower than 3,factors may inducing bleeding well monitored,Warfarin is safe in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation.