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Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure in the Aging Population

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Aging and Heart Failure

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Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common condition affecting more than 2.2 million Americans, and nearly ¾ of all patients with AF are over 65. It is a major risk factor for serious cardiovascular events, such as stroke, heart failure (HF) and premature death. Aging-related atrial remodelling with fibrosis, dilation and mitochondrial DNA mutations predisposes elderly patients to AF. New therapeutic modalities including novel anticoagulation medications, antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) and catheter-based ablation (CBA) have significantly impacted our approach to management of AF and are of particular interest for the elderly although they have not been extensively studied in this group of patients.

This chapter will review the epidemiology, pathophysiology and management options for AF and discuss the role of new advances in management of AF in the elderly.

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    Pedram Kazemian MD, MSc

  2. 2C2 W.C. Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, University of Alberta and Hospitals, 727, Todd Landing NW, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2B7

    Bodh I. Jugdutt MD, MSc, DM, FRCPC

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Kazemian, P., Jugdutt, B.I. (2014). Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure in the Aging Population. In: Jugdutt, B. (eds) Aging and Heart Failure. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0268-2_5

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