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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

Atrial fibrillation in the elderly.

Gregory W Fischer¹

¹Department of Anesthesiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY 10029, USA. Gregory.Fischer@mountsinai.org

Anesthesiology Clinics

|October 15, 2009

Summary

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm disorder, especially in older adults. This overview covers AF in the elderly, focusing on perioperative management for anesthesiologists.

Area of Science:

Cardiology
Geriatrics
Anesthesiology

Background:

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, frequently necessitating urgent medical intervention.
Elderly patients represent a significant demographic affected by AF, particularly during the perioperative period.

Observation:

This article reviews the incidence, prevalence, etiology, and pathophysiology of AF in the geriatric population.
It specifically addresses the challenges and considerations for anesthesiologists managing AF in elderly patients.

Findings:

The review details both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management strategies for AF.
Understanding the causes, consequences, and treatment of perioperative AF in the elderly is crucial.

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Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

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The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

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Implications:

Anesthesiologists require comprehensive knowledge of AF management in elderly patients, both new-onset and chronic, presenting for surgery.
This information is vital for optimizing patient outcomes and ensuring safe surgical care.