Revised atrial fibrillation guidelines released: ACC/AHA/ESC

AF is the most common sustained cardiac rhythm disturbance. It is often, but not exclusively, associated with structural heart disease and its prevalence increases with age. Haemodynamic impairment and thromboembolic events that are related to AF result in significant morbidity and mortality.The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology, in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society, have developed guidelines for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).The ACC/AHA/ESC Writing Committee conducted a comprehensive literature review (from 2001 to 2006) in order to revise and update the 2001 Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation. Changes since the initial publication of the 2001 guidelines include: Reorganisation of the guidelines to reflect the implications for patient care, beginning with recognition of AF and its pathogenesis and the general priorities of rate control, prevention of thromboembolism, and methods available for use in selected patients to correct the arrhythmia and maintain normal sinus rhythm....