Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in elderly population.

BACKGROUND: Although elderly patients have been included in published series of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF), clinical benefit and safety remain still less defined in this population. A retrospective analysis of the results of catheter ablation for AF in a large volume center focused on comparison of elderly patients with the rest of the patient cohort was conducted in this study. METHODS: 57 months, respectively. RESULTS: < 0.01), respectively. Poor arrhythmia control was associated with relative risk of all-cause mortality of 2.7 (95% CI: 1.1-6.4) in elderly patients and 1.4 (95% CI: 0.9-2.0) in younger subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Catheter ablation for AF in elderly patients is safe although somewhat less effective. Good arrhythmia control is associated with better survival, especially in elderly patients.