Polskie Archiwum Medycyny Wewnętrznej
-
Pol. Arch. Med. Wewn. · Mar 2005
[Effect of atrial fibrillation on left ventricle function in the elderly].
Atrial fibrillation (FA) coexists with heart failure, and its occurrence frequency increases with age. This arrhythmia can precede heart failure as well as can be a consequence of cardiac function deterioration. ⋯ Atrial fibrillation in the elderly causes greater systolic and diastolic dysfunction of left ventricle compared to younger patients with this kind of arrhythmia. The left ventricle contractility deterioration in older patients with atrial fibrillation correlates with high maximal and mean diurnal heart rate.