Summary

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a leading reason for physicians to prescribe warfarin treatment in the elderly. The prevalence of AF increases with age [Chen LY, Shen WK. Heart Rhythm 2007]. By 2050, the projected number of persons with AF in the United States will exceed 10 million [Miyasaka Y et al. Circulation 2006], and 12%, or 1 in 8 Americans, will be aged =75 years. This article discusses the need to optimize anticoagulant treatment in the elderly.