Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCohort study
Temporal trends in the use of oral anticoagulants and clinical outcomes in older, elderly, and very elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: a Danish nationwide study
- Nationwide cohort study
- Danish nationwide registry
- temporal trends 1999–2022
Authors' conclusion
Over the past two decades, the risk of stroke decreased significantly among all age groups, with no subsequent increase in the risk of bleeding among older adults in an era where OACs were almost fully implemented. In the very elderly patients aged ≥85 years, the risk of stroke only slightly improved over time, with an increase in the risk of ICH.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF), Denmark, 1999–2022
- Participants
- 243,938 patients
- Exposure
- Temporal trends in OAC use and outcomes across age groups
- Older adultsn = 89,184
- Elderlyn = 99,002
- Very elderlyn = 55,752
- Outcome
- Temporal trends in OAC initiation, stroke-free survival, major bleeding including ICH, and all-cause mortality
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Improvement in 5-year probability of stroke-free survival (absolute) · 5 years
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | Older adults | Elderly | Very elderly |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAC use in very elderly patients with AF · 2022 | Not reported in the abstract | Not reported in the abstract | 71% |
Safety
5-year absolute risk of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH)
- Increased among the elderly and very elderly AF patients
Original publication
Temporal trends in the use of oral anticoagulants and clinical outcomes in older, elderly, and very elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: a Danish nationwide study. Eur Heart J. Published 18 November 2025. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehaf877
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it