Atrial fibrillation: still a benign condition in the elderly?

A recent study demonstrated that the presence of an atrial arrhythmia, mainly atrial fibrillation, in a hospitalized elderly population (mean age: 85 years) was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality during follow-up. This association persisted in multivariable analyses, even after adjustment for several social, clinical and laboratory variables. The great complexity of a ‘real-world’ geriatric population, which is the result of the coexistence of comorbidities, mood disorders, poor social networks and reduced homeostasis, may explain these results. New age-oriented guidelines are necessary in order to effectively manage atrial fibrillation in elderly individuals who are most exposed to the severe complications of arrhythmia.