Age as a Risk factor for Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Citation : Prashant Bhave, Rod Passman

Atrial fibrillation affects approximately 3 million people in the United States and creates a huge burden on the health care system, both in terms of morbidity, mortality, and cost. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation rises sharply with increases in age. It is estimated that 8% of people above 70 years of age have atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation has long been recognized as a powerful risk factor for stroke, heart failure, and mortality. Advancing age amplifies the risk of all of these sequelae of atrial fibrillation.