Atrial fibrillation is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There is a strong relationship between atrial fibrillation and aging, thromboembolism, stroke, congestive heart failure and hypertension. On the other hand, advanced age confers a powerful risk factor for stroke and thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation.

For many years, vitamin K antagonists were the only approved anticoagulants for the management of atrial fibrillation. Lately new anticoagulants made their appearance and large trials have already shown their superiority against vitamin K antagonists. Since the arrhythmia is encountered frequently in the elderly, it is crucial to identify the beneficial effects of the novel oral anticoagulants in this particular patient population.