Background And Aim: Benefits of oral anticoagulants (OAC) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with moderate-to-high risk of stroke are independent of AF pattern. We evaluated whether AF clinical subtype influenced OAC use in a representative sample of the Italian older population.
Methods: A cross-sectional examination of all subjects aged 65 + years from three general practices in northern, central, and southern Italy started in 2016.
Background/objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) subtypes may carry different cardiovascular risk profiles, but information on their frequency from population-based studies is lacking. We estimated prevalence of AF subtypes in a representative sample of the Italian older population, projecting figures for Italy and the European Union.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Aims: To estimate prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a representative sample of the Italian elderly population, projecting figures for Italy and the European Union.
Methods And Results: A cross-sectional examination of all subjects aged 65+ years from three general practices in Northern, Central, and Southern Italy started in 2016. Participants were administered a systematic and an opportunistic screening, followed by clinical and electrocardiogram confirmation.