Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. Its prevalence increases with age and is estimated at around 5% in those aged 65 years, rising to 10% in the over 80 population. AF usually arises from the left atrium and is commonly referred to as a ‘supraventricular arrhythmia’. It is characterized by rapid, irregular and chaotic electrical atrial activity that results in an irregular ventricular response. AF is no longer considered a benign condition as it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, most notably from its 5-fold increased risk of stroke. With an ever-increasing elderly population, it is unsurprising that AF poses a significant public and health burden and already accounts for about 1% of the National Health Service (NHS) expenditure.
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