[Newly developed atrial fibrillation among patients under active observation by an outpatient clinic]

We carried out prospective cohort study of incidence of new cases of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a sample of Moscow population (patients under observation in our policlinic). Total incidence of AF between 2003 and 2009 was 7.7 per 1000 patient/years, it was higher among men than among women. Incidence of AF progressively increased with age reaching maximum in age group more or equal 85 years. Most frequent baseline disease in patients with first appearance of AF was hypertensive disease (71%). Ischemic heart disease diagnosed according to strict criteria (postinfarction cardiosclerosis, revascularization procedures) was registered in 20.1%, diabetes - in 15.7%, chronic heart failure - in 13%, valvular heart disease - in 5.6%, and history of acute ischemic stroke - in 2.5% of patients.