[Efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulants in frail elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: an unsolved problem]

At present, the efficacy and safety of anticoagulants, warfarin, or new oral anticoagulants in frail patients remain unknown, as these patients have largely been excluded from both randomized trials and "real-world" studies; as a result, the guidelines do not provide guidance for the management of this population. Frail patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are significantly less likely to receive oral anticoagulants compared to their nonfrail counterparts; is that an expression of reasonable prudence or malpractice? In this regard, some aspects of physical frailty should be considered: (i) increased vulnerability to stressors, including pharmacological agents with potential severe adverse effects; (ii) frail elderly patients are at high risk of falls and, therefore, of severe traumatic hemorrhages on oral anticoagulation; (iii) frail patients are more likely to have complications during intercurrent affections, potentially responsible for hemorrhages. Prospective "real-world" studies including frail AF patients are necessary. Waiting for more evidence, the doubt whether to prescribe or not an oral anticoagulant to frail AF patients remains legitimate.