[Anticoagulation for stroke prevention. An update].

Given the projected rising prevalence of atrial fibrillation in the near future, an increasing number of older patients will have to be treated in order to prevent stroke and systemic embolism. This article summarizes recent developments in antithrombotic treatment and risk stratification for patients with atrial fibrillation and intends to abate the still prevailing reluctance towards anticoagulation in elderly patients.