Atrial Fibrillation: an Emerging Epidemic

ed that in 2010 there were ≈2.7 million to 6.1 million cases of AF. The incidence of AF is expected to increase by between ≈5.6 and 12 million by 2050.6 AF is strongly associated with age, gender, race and the presence of cardiovascular disease. In the Medicare population, numerous chronic conditions are associated with the incidence of AF. These include hypertension, obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, hyperlipidemia, heart failure, valvular heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and Type 2 Diabetes.1,2,4 Atrial Fibrillation carries a high economic and personal burden to individuals and to society. AF increases the risk of ischemic stroke by five-fold.4,7 Persons with AF, especially older individuals are at higher risk for hospitalizations, thromboembolic events, heart failure, dementia and higher mortality than those in sinus rhythm.4 Strokes caused by AF are generally more severe, more disabling, and more-frequently fatal than strokes in persons with normal sinus rhythm.4,8 A systematic review of the economic cost of atrial fibrillation by Wolowacz and colleagues revealed that direct cost ranged from $2,000 to $14,200 per patient year in the United States. Inpatient care was estimated at 40-50% of the annual Atrial Fibrillation: an Emerging Epidemic