[Arrhythmias in the aged: prevalence and correlation with symptoms]

Objective of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of arrhythmias as well as their correlation with the reported anamnestic symptomatology in the elderly population. With 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiography (Holter ECG) 913 patients, (440 males and 473 females, range 60-89 years, mean age 71) were consecutively studied and subdivided according to the following criteria: (1) age (3 classes: 60-69 [I], 70-79 [II], > or = 80 [III]; (2) presence/absence of "guide" symptoms (syncope/faintness, chest pain, palpitation), and (3) Holter electrocardiography results. We have demonstrated a high prevalence of arrhythmias: 72% (657), which was significantly higher in age classes II (80.5%) and III (79.1%) in comparison to class I (60.6%). A notably higher prevalence of tachyarrhythmias is documented compared to bradyarrhythmias (5:1). With a higher age the prevalence of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias increases significantly, while bradyarrhythmias do not have the same trend. We have a similar prevalence of arrhythmias between symptomatic (77.4%) and asymptomatic patients (63.6%) and no significant correlation between anamnestic symptoms and presence of arrhythmias are observed. Considering the high prevalence of arrhythmias during Holter ECG we think that the clinical importance and prognosis should be evaluated with caution.