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The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Stroke risk in an elderly population with atrial fibrillation
W M Feinberg1, R A Kronmal, A B Newman
1Department of Neurology, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson, USA.
Journal of General Internal Medicine
|January 20, 1999
Summary
Elderly patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) have a stroke risk, but many are low risk. Further research is needed to accurately stratify stroke risk in AF patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) significantly increases stroke risk.
- Stroke risk in AF patients varies based on coexisting vascular conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate stroke rates in elderly nonvalvular AF patients.
- To assess the predictive accuracy of existing stroke risk stratification schemes in this population.
Main Methods:
- A population-derived cohort of 259 elderly individuals with nonvalvular AF was followed for a median of 5.3 years.
- Stroke incidence and the performance of two risk stratification tools were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The overall ischemic stroke rate was 2.8% per year.
- Thirty-one percent of patients were classified as low risk, with an observed stroke rate of 1.7% per year.
- A notable proportion of elderly AF patients exhibited relatively low stroke rates.
Conclusions:
- Existing stroke risk stratification schemes may require refinement for elderly nonvalvular AF populations.
- Further investigation is crucial for reliable stroke risk stratification in AF patients to guide preventative strategies.
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