Venous thromboembolic disease and anticoagulant therapy in elderly patients

The occurrence of venous thromboembolic disease (VTD) is very closely related to age. Elderly, hospitalized persons of both sexes are the

most vulnerable group. Acquired and external risk factors are involved to a greater degree here. Hereditary factors have a smaller effect

in comparison with young individuals. The diagnosis of VTD in the elderly is similar to that in other age groups; however, the proportion

of asymptomatic venous thromboses increases significantly in older age. The efficacy of oral anticoagulant therapy in elderly patients

is most influenced by their current clinical condition, their diet composition, including possible food supplements, and the medications

taken. The relationship between the risk of bleeding and the age during anticoagulant therapy is not unequivocal. There are papers

showing that elderly patients in whom anticoagulant therapy has been well adhered to, have the same risk of bleeding as young patients.

Following the introduction of low-molecular-weight heparins in the 1990s that allowed standard outpatient treatment of deep

vein thrombosis in many elderly patients, novel oral anticoagulants are another breakthrough development in the treatment of VTD.

Keywords: elderly patients, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, epidemiology, risk factors, anticoagulant therapy, novel oral anticoagulants