[Incidence and clinical significance of rhythm disorders in the elderly]

The goal of this study was the evaluation of cardiac arrhythmias in an unselected population of elderly patients by 24-hour Holter electrocardiography. An elevated incidence of hyperkinetic (62%) and hypokinetic arrhythmias (22.7%) were detected. Following a critical review of the literature, the Authors conclude that even in hyperkinetic arrhythmias a conservative approach is advisable without indiscriminate therapeutic treatment. This review also confirmed the clinical utility of ambulatory monitoring in the detection of arrhythmias, otherwise underestimated, mainly in asymptomatic patients.