Circulation: Clinical Summaries

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder around the world. We report results of the first global assessment of AF, conducted within the framework of the recently published Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (the GBD 2010 Study). The estimated global prevalence of AF in 2010 was 33.5 million (20.9 million men and 12.6 million women). Between 1990 and 2010, there were significant increases in the estimated age-adjusted prevalence and incidence of AF. These increases were accompanied by increases in AF disease burden measured as disability-adjusted life-years and mortality associated with AF. Our findings indicate progressive increases in the worldwide prevalence and incidence of AF, as well as associated morbidity and mortality. Systematic, global surveillance of AF is required to better direct prevention and treatment strategies. As the first assessment of the global burden of AF, these findings have important implications for public health policy and healthcare costs. See p 837.