2024 Chinese Expert Consensus Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation in the Elderly, Endorsed by Geriatric Society of Chinese Medical Association (Cardiovascular Group) and Chinese Society of Geriatric Health Medicine (Cardiovascular Branch): Executive Summary

Abstract

The consensus guidelines of the Geriatric Society of Chinese Medical Association (GSCMA) on the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the elderly was first published in 2011 and updated in 2016, with endorsement by Chinese Society of Geriatric Health Medicine (CSGHM). Since then, many important studies regarding the screening and treatment in the elderly population have been reported, necessitating this updated expert consensus guidelines. The writing committee members comprehensively reviewed updated evidence pertaining to elderly patients with AF, and formulated this 2024 update. The highlighted issues focused on the following: screening for AF, geriatric comprehensive assessment, use of the Atrial fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway for the elderly patients, and special clinical settings related to elderly patients with AF. New recommendations addressing smart technology facilitated AF screening, ABC pathway based management and optimal anticoagulation were developed, with a focus on the elderly.