title: Updates in antiarrhythmic therapy for atrial fibrillation in geriatric patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a review of the current evidence for the use of antiarrhythmic therapy in the geriatric population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A PubMed search of articles in the English language published from 1990 through August 2014 was performed using a combination of the following words: amiodarone, antiarrhythmic, atrial fibrillation, dofetilide, dronedarone, elderly, flecainide, geriatric, propafenone, sotalol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant original studies, review articles, and guidelines were assessed for use of antiarrhythmic therapy to manage atrial fibrillation (A fib) in the elderly. References from the above literature were also evaluated and included based on their relevance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of A fib increases as the population ages, which creates an increased need for clinicians to understand the place of antiarrhythmic therapy in management of A fib. This article provides a review of the current literature regarding this high-risk class of medications in the elderly population, with a focus on monitoring parameters and clinical considerations in the geriatric population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elderly patients are more susceptible to the adverse effects of antiarrhythmic medications as a result of multiple factors, including decreased clearance and metabolism of medications as well as interactions caused by comorbid conditions and medications. Pharmacists can play a key role in a multidisciplinary team to monitor and educate patients on their antiarrhythmic therapy.
authors.affiliation: Banner Boswell Medical Center, Sun City, Arizona, USA.
authors.forename: Cassandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ehrlich
authors.forename: Laura V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Tsu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents