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(Circulation. 2006;114:97.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.

Issue Highlights

An extract of the first 250 words of the full text is provided, because this article has no abstract.

	SECULAR TRENDS IN INCIDENCE OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION IN OLMSTED COUNTY, MINNESOTA, 1980 TO 2000, AND IMPLICATIONS ON THE PROJECTIONS FOR FUTURE PREVALENCE, by Miyasaka et al.

 
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a growing public health problem that is associated with increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and death. The prevalence of AF in the community in the United States has increased over the last 4 decades, but the contributing reasons remain far from clear. In this issue of Circulation, Miyasaka and colleagues analyze data from the predominantly white population of Olmsted County, Minnesota, to assess secular trends in incidence of AF over a 20-year period (1980–2000). The age- and sex-adjusted incidence of AF increased in both sexes (overall 12.6% increase) over this time period. An increase in burden of obesity during this time period in Olmsted County likely contributed to the increase in AF incidence. Based on these incidence trends, the authors project that the number of individuals with prevalent AF in the United States will increase 3-fold by 2050 (exceeding 10 million), underscoring the importance of preventing AF by controlling risk factors for the condition. See p 119.

	GEOMETRIC DETERMINANTS OF FUNCTIONAL TRICUSPID REGURGITATION: INSIGHTS FROM 3-DIMENSIONAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, by Ton-Nu et al.

 
Contemporary noninvasive imaging modalities are enabling the in vivo study and quantitative evaluation of complex cardiovascular anatomy and physiology. A novel example of this approach is examined in this issue of Circulation by Ton-Nu and colleagues. Using real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography, the authors examined tricuspid valve morphology in patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation, compared with a reference group with normal tricuspid valve function. They quantitate the complex shape of the normal annulus and the saddle-shaped tricuspid valve and describe the changes in the annular size and shape . . . [Full Text of this Article]