[Safety and efficacy of various modalities of antiplatelet prophylaxis of ischemic stroke in elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation].

We compared the efficacy and safety of warfarin, dabigartan, and clopidogrel used to prevent tromboembolism in 210 elderly patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation depending on the age. In patients aged 65--74 yr treatment with dabigartan (110 mg twice daily) for 6 months was associated with ischemic stroke as frequently as warfarin therapy but less frequently than with severe hemorrhages (4.4 vs. 27.7%, p < 0.05). Clopidogrel prevented stroke as effectively as warfarin and dabigartan and was equally safe. There were no differences in the frequency of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications in 75-80 year-old patients given the three medications. It is concluded that dabigartan and clopidorgel may be regarded as a good alternative to warfarin for anti-platelet treatment of 65-74 year-old patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.