Prognosis

The risk is increased with

• younger age at onset of AF ^b
• peripheral atheroscelosis ^b

Note:

• Around one in fifty patients with atrial fibrillation diagnosed in hospital go onto have a peripheral thromboembolism within 10 years (2.1%: 95% CI: 1.9% to 2.2%). ^b  

Common sites of peripheral thromboembolism in AF are limbs and the gut 

Site of thromboembolism b	%
upper and lower extremities	61%
mesenteric arteries	29%
pelvic arteries	9%
aorta	7%
renal arteries	2%