Embolic events in 93 elderly Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation

Objectives To evaluate the prevalence of embolic events and relevant factor s in elderly Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation(Af), and to provide evidence on ways to prevent embolic events. Methods Autopsy data from ninety-three continous elderly Chinese patients w ith AF were analysed. The incidence of embolic events and its relationship to underlying disease, pathologic changes in the heart. and other clinical characteristics were examined. Results Embolism were observed in 27 of 93 cases, with an incidence of 29.0 3%. The incidence of embolic events was higher in elderly patients with rhe umatic heart disease than those with coronary artery disease, hypertensive myocardiopathy and heart diseases. Patients with chronic AF, with a course of AF greater than or equal to 3 years, and those with heart failure or dia betes had a higher incidence of embolic events than those without these com plications. There was significant difference in incidence between paroxysma l and chronic AF. Patients with left atrial or ventricular enlargement, mur al thrombosis in cardiac chambers, valvular calcification and valvular vege tation also had a higher incidence of embolic events. Oral dipyridamole (75 - 150 mg/d) or aspirin (50 - 150 mg/d) showed no definite effects in preve nting embolism in some patients. Conclusions There was a high incidence of embolic events in elderly Chinese patients with AF. Anticoagulation therapy should be provided to the elderl y patients with AF, especially to the patients with risk factors for emboli sm.