Evaluation of the thromboembolic risk in patients with atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Introduction. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is considered to be a new 21st-century epidemic, which by the end of 2060 shall affect an estimated 18 million people. More than 6 million Europeans suffer from AF, while in the United States AF is the cause of hospitalization of more than one third of the patients with heart rhythm disorders.