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Published on: February 26, 2013
Prevalence of asymptomatic atrial fibrillation among multimorbid elderly patients: diagnostic implications
Riccardo Vio1, Andrea S Giordani2, Ahmed Alturki3
1Unit of Cardiology, Department of Cardiothoracic, Vascular Medicine & Intensive Care, Dell'Angelo Hospital, Mestre, Venice, Italy - riccardo.vio.1@gmail.com.
Insights
The global population
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and Cardiology: Focus on age-related cardiovascular conditions.
Background:
- Global population aging drives an
- Purpose_of_the_Study
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence of asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) in the elderly.
- To discuss associated comorbidities and screening strategies for early AF diagnosis.
- To highlight implications for effective AF management in older adults.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on epidemiological data and clinical studies.
- Analysis of current screening strategies for asymptomatic atrial fibrillation.
- Synthesis of information on comorbidities and diagnostic challenges in elderly AF patients.
Main Results:
- Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasingly prevalent in the aging global population.
- Elderly patients with AF often present with significant cardiac and non-cardiac comorbidities.
- Underdiagnosis of silent AF in the elderly contributes to delayed treatment and adverse outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Early detection of asymptomatic AF through screening is crucial for improving prognosis in the elderly.
- Managing comorbidities alongside AF is essential for comprehensive patient care.
- Systematic and opportunistic screening approaches are vital for addressing the growing AF epidemic.
Abstract:
Advancing age of the global population is one of the main reasons for the uprising trend in atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence worldwide leading to a proper "AF epidemic". Strictly related to the increasing prevalence of AF in the elderly is the relevant burden of cardiac end extra-cardiac comorbidities that these patients show. Patients with AF are frequently asymptomatic (i.e., asymptomatic or silent AF) and thus the arrhythmia is generally underdiagnosed. Detainment of proper treatment in elderly and comorbid patients may potentially result in significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, in recent years, several screening strategies (systematic vs opportunistic screening) for asymptomatic AF have been developed and early diagnosis of AF is an important treatment goal that can improve prognosis. This review will focus on the prevalence of asymptomatic AF in the elderly, frequently associated comorbidities, screening strategies, and implications for a correct AF diagnosis.
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