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Review
. 2017 Mar;14(3):179-184.
doi: 10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2017.03.010.

Predisposing factors for atrial fibrillation in the elderly

Kristina Wasmer  1 , Lars Eckardt  1 , Günter Breithardt  1
Affiliations
Review

Predisposing factors for atrial fibrillation in the elderly

Kristina Wasmer et al. J Geriatr Cardiol. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) in the elderly occurs as a consequence of cardiovascular aging and an age related increase of comorbidity. Several predisposing factors for AF have been identified for the overall AF population. Most of them, cardiovascular disease in particular, play a role in younger and older patients. The longer time period during which these risk factors can cause structural changes that ultimately lead to AF may, at least in part, explain the association between age and AF. In addition, less well defined age-related changes in cellular electrophysiologic properties and structure predispose to AF in the elderly.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Atrial fibrosis; Mechanisms; Risk factors; Stroke; The elderly.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Depiction of the AF prevalence in different studies.
There is a steep increase in AF prevalence across all studies between 60 and 65 years of age (red line). Adjusted from citation [31] with permission. AF: atrial fibrillation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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