Safety of the Combination of Intensive Cholesterol-Lowering Therapy with Oral Anticoagulation Medication in Elderly Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

We conclude that in elderly AF patients treated with OAC, intensive cholesterol-lowering therapy (atorvastatin 40 mg/day and ezetimibe 10 mg/day) is well tolerated. No increased risk in bleeding was found.

Persisting thrombin activity in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation on oral anticoagulation is decreased by anti-inflammatory therapy with intensive cholesterol-lowering treatment

“…However, in this limited group of elderly patients no adverse effects which were related to the combination of OACs and cholesterol-lowering therapy could be found. 37 …”

One‐year cholesterol lowering treatment reduces medial temporal lobe atrophy and memory decline in stroke‐free elderly with atrial fibrillation: evidence from a parallel group randomized trial

“…The trial was conducted over the course of 1 year (see also Enajat et al ., 2009 for additional information). After baseline assessment, the treatment group started with 20 mg atorvastatine for the first 2 weeks, thereafter continuing with 40 mg atorvastatin.…”

“…The trial was conducted over the course of 1 year (see also Enajat et al, 2009 for additional information).…”

“…Treatment of AF patients mainly includes anticoagulatory therapy primarily preventing ischaemic stroke. Additionally, intensive cholesterol lowering therapy next to the commonly used anticoagulant therapy may be of additional value (Enajat et al ., 2009). Statins have a beneficial effect on the cognitive performance in patients with Alzheimer's disease (Jick et al ., 2000; but see Sparks et al ., 2005), most likely via effects on the structural integrity of the MTL (van de Pol et al ., 2007).…”

“…The present study builds upon a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study that was conducted to investigate the effect of intensive cholesterol lowering treatment with atorvastatin and ezetimibe on top of oral anticoagulation therapy compared to a placebo intervention in elderly stroke‐free AF patients (Enajat et al ., 2009). Our study aimed specifically at investigating the effect of this therapy on structural brain changes.…”