Drivers of hospitalization in atrial fibrillation: a contemporary review

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) related hospitalization has risen over the last two decades and is the most influential determinant of total disease-related expenditure. In this review article, we describe several identified drivers for hospitalization from several registries and large-scale clinical trials, including key cardiovascular and non-traditional risk factors. We also discuss available assessment tools for discerning overall risk of hospitalization, including AF symptom scores, thrombosis and bleeding disposition, and non-invasive cardiac structural assessment. Finally, we highlight the different treatment paradigms which have been proven to reduce AF burden, progression and hospitalization in the literature.