The use of antiplatelet medication in hospitalised elderly patients.

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The use of antiplatelet medication in hospitalised elderly patients.

Bratisl Lek Listy. 2015;116(9):533-8

Authors: Wawruch M, Slezakova V, Murin J, Kuzelova M, Dukat A, Zabka M, Leitmann T, Tisonova J, Kallay Z

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The use of antiplatelet agents is strongly recommended for the secondary prevention of ischemic events such as myocardial infarction, stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA).
OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to analyse the use of antiplatelet medication in patients after myocardial infarction, stroke/TIA, and patients with both conditions and to identify patient-related characteristics, which determine the use of such drugs in elderly patients.
METHODS: Study sample (n=372) was derived from 2,157 patients admitted to long-term care departments of three municipal hospitals. The study included patients aged ≥65 years after myocardial infarction, stroke/TIA or both.
RESULTS: Antiplatelet medications were prescribed in 54.8 % and 68.5 % of patients at hospital admission and discharge, respectively. Hospitalisation led to a significant increase in the use of antiplatelet medication in patients after myocardial infarction and in those with the combination of both events. However, in patients after only stroke/TIA, we did not find any significant difference comparing the use of antiplatelet medication at the time of hospital admission and discharge, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Our study revealed that physicians are more aware of the benefits of antiplatelet medication in elderly patients after myocardial infarction or those after both myocardial infarction and stroke/TIA in comparison with patients after only stroke/TIA (Tab. 3, Ref. 32).

PMID: 26435017 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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