Among Older Patients with AF, Stroke Risk Is Higher in Women Than in Men

In a population-based cohort, the increase was independent of comorbidities, baseline risk score, or warfarin use.

Sex differences exist in many cardiovascular conditions, and atrial fibrillation (AF) is no exception. These researchers compared stroke incidence in women versus men among 83,513 residents of the province of Quebec (women, 52.8%) aged 65 years or older who were discharged from the hospital with a new diagnosis of AF. The protocol definition of stroke was cerebral thrombosis, embolism, or artery occlusion, including transient ischemic attack (TIA) and retinal infarct.

The overall stroke rate was significantly higher in women than in men (5.8% vs. 4.3%). Most of the events were cerebral thrombosis, embolism, or artery occlusions. Overall stroke incidence was 2.0 per 100 person-years in women and 1.6 per 100 person-years in men (P<0.001). The …

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

Among Older Patients with AF, Stroke Risk Is Higher in Women Than in Men

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Reviewing Author