The authors assessed bleeding events in patients with atrial fibrillation and receiving either dabigatran or warfarin. Data from a randomly selected cohort of only 5% of all patients registered for Medicare beneficiaries were analysed. This approach was suggested to represent postmarketing real-life clinical conditions.
Consistent with the results of the RE-LY trial, intracranial haemorrhage was reduced, but in this registry report overall bleeding events were higher in patient receiving dabigatran. This paper underlines the importance of careful prescription and patient guidance during oral anticoagulation, especially in the elderly and in patients with renal dysfunction.
– Sibylle Kozek-Langenecker
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