Atrial fibrillation in the elderly - the geriatric perspective

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in older adults. As a result of the positive data on ablation, the focus has shifted to rhythm control. The method of choice is pulmonary vein isolation. Even older patients may benefit from ablation. Oral anticoagulation remains an essential component of pharmacological therapy for atrial fibrillation. Older adults require an individualised treatment approach, which should be based on current guidelines and complementary tools. The assessment of functionality should be taken into account in therapy and goal planning.