[Anticoagulation in old fallers : a common challenge].

Long term anticoagulation is required to reduce the risk of stroke or other thromboembolic events resulting from atrial fibrillation. Thus, anticoagulation is frequently considered in older persons who are at increased risk for hemorrhagic adverse events. This is even more so as about a third of older persons aged 65 years and over will fall over a year. Nevertheless, benefits from risk reduction in stroke incidence and its consequences (functional depen-dency, cognitive decline, altered quality of life, death) resulting from anticoagulant prescription remains superior to its related risk.