New Research Looks at Stroke Risk and Anticoagulation

A new study in JAMA Open Network examined whether the discontinuation of anticoagulation (AC) associated with stroke and bleeding among Medicare beneficiaries with atrial fibrillation (AF) entering long-term care (LTC) led to more strokes.

Researchers said in their comparative effectiveness study with a target trial involving 15,426 Medicare beneficiaries with AF entering LTC, AC discontinuation was not associated with stroke or bleeding but was associated with higher mortality.

“These findings suggest that AC discontinuation in LTC residents with AF does not appear to increase stroke or bleeding risk; however, high mortality among discontinuers leaves clinical implications unclear, and clinicians should weigh these findings against residents’ individual health goals,” the report summary said.

Read the entire entry at Stroke and Bleeding Risk in Long-Term Care Residents With Atrial Fibrillation Who Discontinue Anticoagulation | Geriatrics | JAMA Network Open | JAMA Network

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