Atrial fibrillation in the elderly: Is ablation ready for prime time?

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia and results in significant morbidity, especially in the elderly. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation increases dramatically with advancing age to almost 6 % in individuals older than 65 years. In fact, 84 % of people with atrial fibrillation are over 65 years of age.1 Additionally, the risk of stroke increases with advancing age, such that one-third of strokes in patients over the age of 65 are caused by atrial fibrillation.