Age-Related Differences in the Clinical Profile and Management of Atrial Fibrillation: Results from the Multicentre REGUEIFA Registry

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in adults, with a prevalence that increases with age. In older patients, its clinical impact is particularly relevant due to higher mortality and greater comorbidity burden. This study aimed to compare patients aged ≥80 years with younger patients in a large AF cohort. <b>Methods:</b> The REGUEIFA registry is an observational, prospective, multicentre study including consecutive patients with AF managed by cardiologists. Baseline clinical characteristics, comorbidities, complementary test findings, AF type, therapeutic strategies, anticoagulation patterns, and patient-reported outcomes were compared. <b>Results:</b> A total of 1007 patients were included, of whom 18.2% were aged ≥80 years. Older patients showed a higher prevalence of hypertension, renal dysfunction, conduction disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and neoplastic disease, along with higher thromboembolic (CHA<sub>2</sub>DS<sub>2</sub>-VASc 3.7 ± 1.04 vs. 2.1 ± 1.49; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and haemorrhagic risk (HAS-BLED 1.3 ± 0.8 vs. 0.6 ± 0.7; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Permanent AF was more frequent, whereas rhythm control strategies and antiarrhythmic drug use were less common, and quality of life was poorer. Anticoagulation rates were high in both groups (≈90%), with greater use of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in older patients, although anticoagulation control was similar. Patients treated with direct-acting oral anticoagulants reported a lower treatment burden and greater perceived benefit than those receiving VKAs. <b>Conclusions:</b> Patients aged ≥80 years with AF exhibit greater comorbidity, poorer perceived health status, and higher thromboembolic and haemorrhagic risk. Their management is more often oriented towards rate control strategies and VKA use, while rhythm control approaches are more common in younger patients.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2026-03-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15051955
Primary Topic
Atrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes
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article
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article

Age-Related Differences in the Clinical Profile and Management of Atrial Fibrillation: Results from the Multicentre REGUEIFA Registry

María Vázquez-Caamaño, Mario Gutiérrez-Feijoo, Evaristo Freire, Ö. Duran et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Atrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes
article

Age-Related Differences in the Clinical Profile and Management of Atrial Fibrillation: Results from the Multicentre REGUEIFA Registry

María Vázquez-Caamaño, Mario Gutiérrez-Feijoo, Evaristo Freire, Ö. Duran, Emiliano Fernández-Obanza, Alejandro Manuel López-Pena, Javier Muñiz, C González-Juanatey, E GONZALEZBABARRO, Óscar Dı́az-Castro, Miriam Piñeiro-Portela, Juliana Elices-Teja, Javier García-Seara, Oscar Prada-Delgado, Laila González-Melchor, Pilar Cabanas-Grandío
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in adults, with a prevalence that increases with age. In older patients, its clinical impact is particularly relevant due to higher mortality and greater comorbidity burden. This study aimed to compare patients aged ≥80 years with younger patients in a large AF cohort. <b>Methods:</b> The REGUEIFA registry is an observational, prospective, multicentre study including consecutive patients with AF managed by cardiologists. Baseline clinical characteristics, comorbidities, complementary test findings, AF type, therapeutic strategies, anticoagulation patterns, and patient-reported outcomes were compared. <b>Results:</b> A total of 1007 patients were included, of whom 18.2% were aged ≥80 years. Older patients showed a higher prevalence of hypertension, renal dysfunction, conduction disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and neoplastic disease, along with higher thromboembolic (CHA<sub>2</sub>DS<sub>2</sub>-VASc 3.7 ± 1.04 vs. 2.1 ± 1.49; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and haemorrhagic risk (HAS-BLED 1.3 ± 0.8 vs. 0.6 ± 0.7; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Permanent AF was more frequent, whereas rhythm control strategies and antiarrhythmic drug use were less common, and quality of life was poorer. Anticoagulation rates were high in both groups (≈90%), with greater use of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in older patients, although anticoagulation control was similar. Patients treated with direct-acting oral anticoagulants reported a lower treatment burden and greater perceived benefit than those receiving VKAs. <b>Conclusions:</b> Patients aged ≥80 years with AF exhibit greater comorbidity, poorer perceived health status, and higher thromboembolic and haemorrhagic risk. Their management is more often oriented towards rate control strategies and VKA use, while rhythm control approaches are more common in younger patients.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 15(5)
University Hospital Complex Of Vigo (ES), Galicia Sur Biomedical Foundation (ES), Centro de Investigación en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (ES), Complexo Hospitalario Universitario A Coruña (ES), Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti (ES), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (ES), Hospital Universitario San Rafael (ES), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (ES), Hospital Montecelo (ES), Complejo Hospitalario de Ourense (ES)
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Openalex Percentile: Top 41%
Atrial Fibrillation Management and Outcomes
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