The management of ventricular arrhythmias in the elderly - are there differences?

Sudden cardiac deaths (SCD) are most often caused by ventricular arrhythmias (VA). Among all cause mortality in the elderly, the rate of SCD due to VA is decreasing. The choice of antiarrhythmic drug in elderly patients is not different according to younger patients. Treatment goals, patient compliance, drug interaction risk, liver and kidney function should be considered in the selection of antiarrhythmic drugs. ICD implantation provides mortality reduction in the elderly when appropriate patient selection is made. In older people with minimal comorbid disease and at high risk for arrhythmic death, the ICD has a higher benefit rate.

Keywords: Arrhythmia treatment, ventricular arrhythmias, elderly.