Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Department of Surgery, Saint Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, MO 2, USA

Publications

• Research Article   
  Falling Down the Slippery Slope of Anticoagulation in Older Adults (>80): More Than Meets the Eye
  Author(s): Vatche Melkonian, Mackenzie Mayhew, Rachele J Solomon, Adilia Ortega, Shari Selesky, Bradley Rogers, Brenda Shaver, Candace Pineda, Chauniqua Kiffin, Ibrahim I Jabbour, Sara Hennessy, Juan D Arenas, Eddy H Carrillo, Andrew A Rosenthal and Tjasa Hranjec*
  
  Background: Although fall risk increases with age, many patients remain anticoagulated (AC) indefinitely, regardless of mental or physical frailty. We hypothesized that in patients >80 years, risk of anticoagulation outweighs its benefits. Methods: Retrospective chart review was conducted to identify older patients (>80), who have fallen from standing/ sitting, at a single level-one trauma center. Patients on and off AC were compared for demographics, injury patterns, length of stay, and long-and short-term outcomes. Data was analyzed using univariate and multivariate (MV) analyses. Results: A total of 465 patients with mean age 87.7±0.2 (range of 80-105) were evaluated over a 10-month period, following a fall. Nearly 65% of the patients (n=300) were receiving some type of anticoagulation: aspirin and .. Read More»
  

  Abstract PDF