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Commentary on: Kumar S, de Lusignan S, McGovern A, et al. Ischaemic stroke, haemorrhage, and mortality in older patients with chronic kidney disease newly started on anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation: a population based study from UK primary care. BMJ. 2018:k342. doi:10.1136/bmj.k342
Context
In the general population anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation (AF) reduces the risk for stroke. However, there is a lack of randomised controlled trials of anticoagulation in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This is problematic since with declining kidney function, individuals are at a higher risk of AF, a thromboembolic (TE) stroke or a major haemorrhagic event. This clinical dilemma is further highlighted in those of advanced age who reap the most benefits from anticoagulation, but who are at the highest risk for bleeding complications. To date, two observational studies have examined the outcomes of anticoagulation in patients …
Footnotes
Contributors DMA and MMS cowrote the commentary and contributed equally.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Not required.
Provenance and peer review Commissioned; internally peer reviewed.