Rate and Rhythm Control Treatment in the Elderly and Very Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: An Observational Cohort Study of 1497 Patients.

Stroke prevention and rate or rhythm control are crucial in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). There is recent evidence for benefit of early rhythm control, yet rate control is the first choice in elderly patients. However, the efficacy and safety of rate and rhythm control in the elderly population remains largely unexplored.

Should Every Patient With Atrial Fibrillation and a CHA2DS2-VASc Score of 1 Be Anticoagulated? A Systematic Review of 37,030 Patients.

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at risk of thromboembolic events. The CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age 65-74, diabetes, female sex and vascular disease, which all count for 1 point, and previous transient ischemic stroke/stroke or age ≥ 75 years, which count for two points) score stratifies this risk and consequently indicates whether anticoagulation is required but leaves room for debate regarding patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score of 1, irrespective of sex. A score of 1, irrespective of sex, is derived from varying risk factors and may represent different risks.