title: From left bundle branch block to Icelandic whales: the multiple perils of atrial fibrillation management in the elderly.
abstract: We present the case of an elderly woman which demonstrates how AF therapy in aged individuals is particularly challenging for the presence of complex conditions. The rhythm- or the rate control strategy must be carefully chosen based on individual risk profile. Oral anticoagulant therapy must be wisely managed to maximize benefits-in terms of stroke and dementia control-and to reduce complications.
authors: Intensive Care Unit and Geriatric Arrhythmology Unit, Division of Geriatric Cardiology and Medicine, and Research Unit of Medicine of Aging, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence and AOU Careggi, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy. fumadue@tin.it.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Fumagalli
authors: Intensive Care Unit and Geriatric Arrhythmology Unit, Division of Geriatric Cardiology and Medicine, and Research Unit of Medicine of Aging, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence and AOU Careggi, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
authors: Serena
authors: S
authors: Boni
authors: Intensive Care Unit and Geriatric Arrhythmology Unit, Division of Geriatric Cardiology and Medicine, and Research Unit of Medicine of Aging, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence and AOU Careggi, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
authors: Debbie
authors: D
authors: Gabbai
authors: Intensive Care Unit and Geriatric Arrhythmology Unit, Division of Geriatric Cardiology and Medicine, and Research Unit of Medicine of Aging, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence and AOU Careggi, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
authors: Ilaria
authors: I
authors: Giannini
authors: Intensive Care Unit and Geriatric Arrhythmology Unit, Division of Geriatric Cardiology and Medicine, and Research Unit of Medicine of Aging, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence and AOU Careggi, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Tarantini
authors: Intensive Care Unit and Geriatric Arrhythmology Unit, Division of Geriatric Cardiology and Medicine, and Research Unit of Medicine of Aging, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence and AOU Careggi, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
authors: Niccolò
authors: N
authors: Marchionni
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002037:Bundle-Branch Block / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D000073216:Mental Status and Dementia Tests
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants
keywords: Anti-arrhythmic therapy; Atrial fibrillation; Elderly; New oral anticoagulants; Oral anticoagulants