Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that can be asymptomatic or disabling. Its prevalence increases with age and its presence can markedly increase the risk of stroke. Recent advances have offered new options for anticoagulation, interventions to decrease the risk of embolic stroke, and electrophysiologic approaches to convert AF back to sinus rhythm.
This guideline1 was published to update the 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. The ACC/AHA Task Force on Practice Guidelines invited members of the writing committee for the 2014 guidelines to update the guideline. They were joined by additional newly invited members. The group was composed of clinicians with broad expertise related to AF and its treatment. The writing group included representatives from the ACC, AHA, HRS, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Members of the writing group were required to disclose all relationships with industry and those with relationships could not work on sections directly involving their relationships (Table).