Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias and conduction disturbances are frequent in the elderly population since there is a direct relationship between the presence of organic heart disease and the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias [1, 2]. This observation may merely reflect an increased prevalence of heart disease in this aged population. Specifically, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and cardiomyopathies have been associated with an increased prevalence of arrhythmias and conduction disease [3]. There is also a well-recognized association of increased age with a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease [4]. In addition, primary disease of the conduction system related to the aging process has been well documented pathologically [5]. This degenerative process, described by Lev (Lev’s Disease), may involve the sinus node, atria, AV node, and the HisPurkinje system. Senile amyloidosis is also a frequent pathologic finding of the aging heart [5].
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Nelson, R.D., Ezri, M.D., Denes, P. (1984). Arrhythmias and Conduction Disturbances in the Elderly. In: Messerli, F.H. (eds) Cardiovascular Disease in the Elderly. Developments in Cardiovascular Medicine, vol 31. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1815-7_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-1815-7_5
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