The changing epidemiology and natural history of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: clinical implications.

The growing "epidemic" of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) with its associated morbidity and mortality intersects with a number of conditions including aging, thromboembolism, stroke, congestive heart failure, hypertension, and perhaps the metabolic syndrome and inflammation.In the USA approximately 2.3 million people currently have NVAF and estimates based upon the United States census and the aging of the population suggests that this...