[Falls and atrial fibrillation in elderly patients].

Abstract

In elderly patients prone to multiple falls with atrial fibrillation, anticoagulants are often discontinued, primarily due to fear of bleeding. However, even in the presence of repeated falls, the increased risk of stroke associated with discontinuation of anticoagulation significantly outweighs the hemorrhagic risk. The management of fall-prone patients with atrial fibrillation relies on oral anticoagulation along with a systematic assessment of risk factors for bleeding to identify and treat modifiable risk factors. Left atrial appendage closure represents an alternative to anticoagulation that may be considered in cases of irreversible cause of intracerebral hemorrhage and non-modifiable risk factors.