Introduction: analysis of frequency of hemorrhagic and thrombotic complications after pacemaker implantation in senior patients undergoing anticoagulant therapy.
Methods: Prospective study included 126 patients aged over 75 years (48 males and 78 females) who underwent pacemaker implantation. The key inclusion criterion was presence of AF with CHA2DS2-VASc score >2. Mean follow-up period was 12 [6; 20] months.
Results: Of included patients, 95 were receiving warfarin and 31 patients were given dabigatran, the groups did not differ by age (83[82; 85] vs 83[81; 85] years, ?(U)=0,63). No serious hemorrhagic or thromboembolic complications were detected in the course of hospitalization. Hematomas developed in 2 patient in the dabigatran group and 5 patients in the warfarin group, p(Fisher)= 0,55. There were 3 non-lethal bleeding episode in the warfarin group and 1 non-lethal bleeding in the dabigatran group – RR= 0,98, p(Fisher)= 0,68. There were no lethal outcomes linked to hemorrhagic or thromboembolic complications over the follow-up period, and all-cause mortality did not differ significantly between groups.
Conclusions: Device implantation in senior patients undergoing dabigatran therapy was not accompanied by any serious complications.