Skip to main content
Log in

Use of Vitamin K Antagonist Therapy in Geriatrics: A French National Survey from the French Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SFGG)

  • Original Research Article
  • Published:
Drugs & Aging Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the quality and determinants of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) control among very elderly patients in geriatric settings.

Methods

A national cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients aged ≥80 years who were hospitalized in rehabilitation care or institutionalized in a nursing home and who were treated by VKA. Time in therapeutic range (TTR) was computed according to Rosendaal’s method.

Results

A total of 2,633 patients were included. Mean [± standard deviation (SD)] age was 87.2 ± 4.4 years and 72.9 % were women. The main indication for VKA therapy was atrial fibrillation (AF; 71.4 %). Mean (±SD) TTR was 57.9 ± 40.4 %. After backward logistic regression, poorer VKA control (TTR <50 vs. ≥50 %) was associated with being hospitalized in rehabilitation care [odds ratio (OR)rehab. vs. nursing home = 1.41; 95 % CI 1.11–1.80], the indication for VKA treatment (ORprosthetic heart valve vs. AF = 4.76; 95 % CI 2.83–8.02), a recent VKA prescription (OR<1 vs. >12 months = 1.70; 95 % CI 1.08–2.67), the type of VKA (ORfluindione vs. warfarin = 1.22; 95 % CI 1.00–1.49), a history of international normalized ratio >4.5 (OR = 1.50; 95 % CI 1.21–1.84), a history of major bleeding (OR = 1.88; 95 % CI 1.00–3.53), antibiotic use (OR = 1.83; 95 % CI 1.24–2.70), and falls (OR≥2 falls during the past year vs. <2 = 1.26; 95 % CI 1.01–1.56).

Conclusion

Overall, VKA control remains insufficient in very old patients. Poorer VKA control was associated with taking VKA for a prosthetic heart valve, a recent VKA prescription, the use of other VKAs than warfarin, a history of overcoagulation and major bleeding, antibiotic use, and falls.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. You JJ, Singer DE, Howard PA, Lane DA, Eckman MH, Fang MC, et al. Antithrombotic therapy for atrial fibrillation: antithrombotic therapy and prevention of thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2012;141(2 Suppl):e531S–75S.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Whitlock RP, Sun JC, Fremes SE, Rubens FD, Teoh KH. Antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy for valvular disease: antithrombotic therapy and prevention of thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest 2012; 141(2 Suppl):e576S–600S.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Kearon C, Akl EA, Comerota AJ, Prandoni P, Bounameaux H, Goldhaber SZ, et al. Antithrombotic therapy for VTE disease: antithrombotic therapy and prevention of thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2012;141(2 Suppl):e419S–494S.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Spencer FA, Gore JM, Lessard D, Emery C, Pacifico L, Reed G, et al. Venous thromboembolism in the elderly. A community-based perspective. Thromb Haemost. 2008;100(5):780–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Go AS, Hylek EM, Phillips KA, Chang Y, Henault LE, Selby JV, et al. Prevalence of diagnosed atrial fibrillation in adults: national implications for rhythm management and stroke prevention: the AnTicoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation (ATRIA) study. JAMA. 2001;285(18):2370–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Hylek EM, Evans-Molina C, Shea C, Henault LE, Regan S. Major hemorrhage and tolerability of warfarin in the first year of therapy among elderly patients with atrial fibrillation. Circulation. 2007;115(21):2689–96.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Palareti G, Leali N, Coccheri S, Poggi M, Manotti C, D’Angelo A, et al. Bleeding complications of oral anticoagulant treatment: an inception-cohort, prospective collaborative study (ISCOAT). Italian Study on Complications of Oral Anticoagulant Therapy. Lancet. 1996;348(9025):423–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Poli D, Antonucci E, Grifoni E, Abbate R, Gensini GF, Prisco D. Bleeding risk during oral anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation patients older than 80 years. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009;54(11):999–1002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Poli D, Antonucci E, Testa S, Tosetto A, Ageno W, Palareti G. Bleeding risk in very old patients on vitamin K antagonist treatment: results of a prospective collaborative study on elderly patients followed by Italian Centres for Anticoagulation. Circulation. 2011;124(7):824–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Bauersachs RM. Use of anticoagulants in elderly patients. Thromb Res. 2012;129(2):107–15.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Phillips KW, Ansell J. Outpatient management of oral vitamin K antagonist therapy: defining and measuring high-quality management. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2008;6(1):57–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Rosendaal FR, Cannegieter SC, van der Meer FJ, Briet E. A method to determine the optimal intensity of oral anticoagulant therapy. Thromb Haemost. 1993;69(3):236–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Connolly SJ, Pogue J, Eikelboom J, Flaker G, Commerford P, Franzosi MG, et al. Benefit of oral anticoagulant over antiplatelet therapy in atrial fibrillation depends on the quality of international normalized ratio control achieved by centers and countries as measured by time in therapeutic range. Circulation. 2008;118(20):2029–37.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Gallagher AM, Setakis E, Plumb JM, Clemens A, van Staa TP. Risks of stroke and mortality associated with suboptimal anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation patients. Thromb Haemost. 2011;106(5):968–77.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Hylek EM. Vitamin K antagonists and time in the therapeutic range: implications, challenges, and strategies for improvement. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2013;35(3):333–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Camm AJ, Lip GY, De Caterina R, Savelieva I, Atar D, Hohnloser SH, et al. 2012 focused update of the ESC guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation: an update of the 2010 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation. Developed with the special contribution of the European Heart Rhythm Association. Eur Heart J. 2012;33(21):2719–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Ansell J, Hollowell J, Pengo V, Martinez-Brotons F, Caro J, Drouet L. Descriptive analysis of the process and quality of oral anticoagulation management in real-life practice in patients with chronic non-valvular atrial fibrillation: the international study of anticoagulation management (ISAM). J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2007;23(2):83–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Baker WL, Cios DA, Sander SD, Coleman CI. Meta-analysis to assess the quality of warfarin control in atrial fibrillation patients in the United States. J Manage Care Pharm. 2009;15(3):244–52.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Melamed OC, Horowitz G, Elhayany A, Vinker S. Quality of anticoagulation control among patients with atrial fibrillation. Am J Manage Care. 2011;17(3):232–7.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Rose AJ, Ozonoff A, Henault LE, Hylek EM. Warfarin for atrial fibrillation in community-based practise. J Thromb Haemost. 2008;6(10):1647–54.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Karki S, Lander S. Evaluation of anticoagulation therapy in an academic nursing home. J Pharm Technol. 2003;19:141–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Aspinall SL, Zhao X, Handler SM, Stone RA, Kosmoski JC, Libby EA, et al. The quality of warfarin prescribing and monitoring in Veterans Affairs nursing homes. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2010;58(8):1475–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Gurwitz JH, Monette J, Rochon PA, Eckler MA, Avorn J. Atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention with warfarin in the long-term care setting. Arch Intern Med. 1997;157(9):978–84.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Gurwitz JH, Field TS, Radford MJ, Harrold LR, Becker R, Reed G, et al. The safety of warfarin therapy in the nursing home setting. Am J Med. 2007;120(6):539–44.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Lackner TE, Battis GN. Use of warfarin for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in nursing home patients. Arch Fam Med. 1995;4(12):1017–26.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. McCormick D, Gurwitz JH, Goldberg RJ, Becker R, Tate JP, Elwell A, et al. Prevalence and quality of warfarin use for patients with atrial fibrillation in the long-term care setting. Arch Intern Med. 2001;161(20):2458–63.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Verhovsek M, Motlagh B, Crowther MA, Kennedy C, Dolovich L, Campbell G, et al. Quality of anticoagulation and use of warfarin-interacting medications in long-term care: a chart review. BMC Geriatr. 2008;8:13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Charlson ME, Pompei P, Ales KL, MacKenzie CR. A new method of classifying prognostic comorbidity in longitudinal studies: development and validation. J Chronic Dis. 1987;40(5):373–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. French National Agency on Drugs and Safety - Agence Nationale de la Sécurité des Médicaments (online). Mise au point sur le bon usage des médicaments antivitamine K (AVK); 2009. http://ansm.sante.fr/var/ansm_site/storage/original/application/5e41e9188c8a23330bc0f0461821d691.pdf. Accessed 16 Sep 2013.

  30. Neidecker M, Patel AA, Nelson WW, Reardon G. Use of warfarin in long-term care: a systematic review. BMC Geriatr. 2012;12:14.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Palareti G, Legnani C, Guazzaloca G, Lelia V, Cosmi B, Lunghi B, et al. Risks factors for highly unstable response to oral anticoagulation: a case–control study. Br J Haematol. 2005;129(1):72–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Ageno W, Gallus AS, Wittkowsky A, Crowther M, Hylek EM, Palareti G. Oral anticoagulant therapy: antithrombotic therapy and prevention of thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2012;141(2 Suppl):e44S–88S.

  33. Lacut K, Ayme-Dietrich E, Gourhant L, Poulhazan E, Andro M, Becquemont L, et al. Impact of genetic factors (VKORC1, CYP2C9, CYP4F2 and EPHX1) on the anticoagulation response to fluindione. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2012;73(3):428–36.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Comets E, Diquet B, Legrain S, Huisse MG, Godon A, Bruhat C, et al. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variability of fluindione in octogenarians. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2012;91(5):777–86.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Verstuyft C, Delavenne X, Rousseau A, Robert A, Tod M, Diquet B, et al. A pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic model for predicting the impact of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 polymorphisms on fluindione and acenocoumarol during induction therapy. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2012;51(1):41–53.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Pautas E, Peyron I, Bouhadiba S, Golmard JL, Gouronnec A, Oboa N, et al. Reversal of overanticoagulation in very elderly hospitalized patients with an INR above 5.0: 24-hour INR response after vitamin K administration. Am J Med. 2011;124(6):527–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Mentre F, Pousset F, Comets E, Plaud B, Diquet B, Montalescot G, et al. Population pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic analysis of fluindione in patients. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1998;63(1):64–78.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Fihn SD, Gadisseur AA, Pasterkamp E, van der Meer FJ, Breukink-Engbers WG, Geven-Boere LM, et al. Comparison of control and stability of oral anticoagulant therapy using acenocoumarol versus phenprocoumon. Thromb Haemost. 2003;90(2):260–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Mahe I, Grenard AS, Joyeux N, Caulin C, Bergmann JF. Management of oral anticoagulant in clinical practice: a retrospective study of 187 patients. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2004;59(12):1339–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Pautas E, Despres J, Peyron I, Golmard JL, Grange J, Koenig N, et al. Divisibility of warfarin and fluindione tablets tested in elderly patients and their family circle [in French]. Geriatr Psychol Neuropsychiatr Vieil. 2011;9(2):171–7.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Pautas E, Gouin-Thibault I, Debray M, Gaussem P, Siguret V. Haemorrhagic complications of vitamin K antagonists in the elderly: risk factors and management. Drugs Aging. 2006;23(1):13–25.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Penning-van Beest FJ, van Meegen E, Rosendaal FR, Stricker BH. Characteristics of anticoagulant therapy and comorbidity related to overanticoagulation. Thromb Haemost. 2001;86(2):569–74.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Pugh D, Pugh J, Mead GE. Attitudes of physicians regarding anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review. Age Ageing. 2011;40(6):675–83.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Bond AJ, Molnar FJ, Li M, Mackey M, Man-Son-Hing M. The risk of hemorrhagic complications in hospital in-patients who fall while receiving antithrombotic therapy. Thromb J. 2005;3(1):1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Schulman S, Beyth RJ, Kearon C, Levine MN. Hemorrhagic complications of anticoagulant and thrombolytic treatment: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th edition). Chest. 2008;133(6 Suppl):257S–298S.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Gage BF, Birman-Deych E, Kerzner R, Radford MJ, Nilasena DS, Rich MW. Incidence of intracranial hemorrhage in patients with atrial fibrillation who are prone to fall. Am J Med. 2005;118(6):612–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Fang MC, Go AS, Hylek EM, Chang Y, Henault LE, Jensvold NG, et al. Age and the risk of warfarin-associated hemorrhage: the anticoagulation and risk factors in atrial fibrillation study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2006;54(8):1231–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Sconce EA, Kamali F. Appraisal of current vitamin K dosing algorithms for the reversal of over-anticoagulation with warfarin: the need for a more tailored dosing regimen. Eur J Haematol. 2006;77(6):457–62.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Froom P, Miron E, Barak M. Oral anticoagulants in the elderly. Br J Haematol. 2003;120(3):526–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Torn M, Bollen WL, van der Meer FJ, van der Wall EE, Rosendaal FR. Risks of oral anticoagulant therapy with increasing age. Arch Intern Med. 2005;165(13):1527–32.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Witt DM, Delate T, Clark NP, Martell C, Tran T, Crowther MA, et al. Outcomes and predictors of very stable INR control during chronic anticoagulation therapy. Blood. 2009;114(5):952–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. French National Agency on Drugs Safety - Agence Nationale de la Sécurité des Médicaments. Les anticoagulants en France en 2012: etat des lieux et surveillance; 2012. http://ansm.sante.fr/var/ansm_site/storage/original/application/901e9c291a545dff52c0b41365c0d6e2.pdf. Accessed 16 Sep 2013.

  53. Siguret V, Gouin-Thibault I, Gaussem P, Pautas E. Optimizing the use of anticoagulants (heparins and oral anticoagulants) in the elderly. Drugs Aging. 2013;30(9):687–99.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Siguret V, Gouin I, Debray M, Perret-Guillaume C, Boddaert J, Mahe I, et al. Initiation of warfarin therapy in elderly medical inpatients: a safe and accurate regimen. Am J Med. 2005;118(2):137–42.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

I, Professor Olivier Hanon, corresponding author, hereby affirm that I have listed everyone who contributed significantly to the work and have obtained written consent from all contributors who are not authors and are named in the Appendix in the Electronic Supplementary Material.

The present study was supported by the French Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (Société Française de Gériatrie et Gérontologie—SFGG).

Conflicts of interest

Gilles Berrut reports consulting and/or lecture fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Sanofi-Aventis, Bayer-Schering Pharma, and Novartis.

Nathalie Maubourguet reports consulting and/or lecture fees from Novartis, Eisai, and Lundbeck.

Claude Jeandel reports consulting and/or lecture fees from Boehringer Ingelheim.

Olivier Hanon reports consulting and/or lecture fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Sanofi-Aventis, Daichi-Sankyo, Bayer-Schering Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Servier, Abbott, and Novartis.

All the other authors have no conflicts to report.

Authorship contributions

Conception and design: Gilles Berrut, Nathalie Maubourguet, Claude Jeandel, Jean-Paul Emeriau, Joel Ankri, Hélène Bouvier, Geneviève Ruault, Olivier Hanon.

Acquisition of data: Matthieu Plichart, Gilles Berrut, Nathalie Maubourguet, Claude Jeandel, Jean-Paul Emeriau, Joel Ankri, Hélène Bouvier, Geneviève Ruault, Olivier Hanon.

Analysis and interpretation of data, drafting of the manuscript: Matthieu Plichart.

Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Gilles Berrut, Nathalie Maubourguet, Claude Jeandel, Jean-Paul Emeriau, Joel Ankri, Hélène Bouvier, Geneviève Ruault, Olivier Hanon.

Drafting of the manuscript, supervision, full access to all the data, and responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis: Olivier Hanon.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Matthieu Plichart or Olivier Hanon.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 65 kb)

Supplementary material 2 (DOCX 24 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Plichart, M., Berrut, G., Maubourguet, N. et al. Use of Vitamin K Antagonist Therapy in Geriatrics: A French National Survey from the French Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SFGG). Drugs Aging 30, 1019–1028 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-013-0127-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-013-0127-3

Keywords

Navigation