Arterial stiffness in the light of thromboembolic complications in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation

Abstract

According to available data reported by numerous national and international studies, one of the parameters reflecting the degree of lesioning of the vascular wall is arterial stiffness, which makes a fundamental contribution to the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and the total cardiovascular mortality, especially in the elderly. Patients with cardiac arrhythmias, especially with atrial fibrillation (AF), deserve our special care, since it is this group of patients that is susceptible to a high risk of developing primary and recurrent thromboembolic episodes. This category of patients had a very high risk of death and invalidation, considering the age factor and comorbidity of the pathology. The analysis of factors involved in the development of not only AF, but also its complications, is a task necessary to improve technologies of correction. In view of this, the parameter of vascular-wall stiffness, being one of the mechanisms involved in AF maintenance and a risk factor for the development of acute thromboembolic complications, primarily stroke, should be given very serious consideration. This survey aims to discuss the results of studies devoted to arterial stiffness in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), as well as the issues related to the risk of developing thromboembolic complications in this category of patients.