Mortality in atrial fibrillation. Is it changing?

• Authors: Alvaro Alonso, Emory University; Zakaria Almuwaqqat, Emory University; Alanna Chamberlain, Mayo Clinic, Rochester
• Journal Title: TRENDS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
• Volume: Volume 31, Number 8
• Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE LONDON | 2021-11-22, Pages 469-473
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.tcm.2020.10.010
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems; Cardiovascular System & Cardiology; Atrial fibrillation; Mortality; Epidemiology; TEMPORAL TRENDS; RISK-FACTORS; HEART; PREVALENCE; DISEASE; HOSPITALIZATION; MULTIMORBIDITY; METAANALYSIS; ASSOCIATION; COMMUNITIES

Abstract

Patients with atrial fibrillation experience higher mortality rates than those without this condition. Recent studies have explored whether mortality rates in atrial fibrillation patients and the overall impact of atrial fibrillation on mortality has changed. Overall, mortality in atrial fibrillation has decreased over the last few decades, with no strong differences between men and women. These improvements could be caused by advances in preventing thromboembolic complications of atrial fibrillation or better management of comorbidities in these patients. Understanding the mechanisms for these changes and developing novel approaches to improve survival in AF patients are areas deserving of future research.