title: Atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac rhythm disorder, and increases in prevalence with increasing age and the number of cardiovascular comorbidities. AF is characterized by a rapid and irregular heartbeat that can be asymptomatic or lead to symptoms such as palpitations, dyspnoea and dizziness. The condition can also be associated with serious complications, including an increased risk of stroke. Important recent developments in the clinical epidemiology and management of AF have informed our approach to this arrhythmia. This Primer provides a comprehensive overview of AF, including its epidemiology, mechanisms and pathophysiology, diagnosis, screening, prevention and management. Management strategies, including stroke prevention, rate control and rhythm control, are considered. We also address quality of life issues and provide an outlook on future developments and ongoing clinical trials in managing this common arrhythmia.
authors.affiliation: University of Birmingham Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK.|Aalborg Thrombosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Gregory Y H
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Lip
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Tours, Tours, France.
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fauchier
authors.affiliation: Heart Research Institute and Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Saul B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Freedman
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Van Gelder
authors.affiliation: Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St David's Medical Center, Austin, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Natale
authors.affiliation: Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St David's Medical Center, Austin, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Carola
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gianni
authors.affiliation: Montréal Heart Institute and University de Montréal, Medicine and Research Center and Department of Pharmacology McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.|Institute of Pharmacology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, Faculty of Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Stanley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nattel
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Clinic, Clinical Center of Serbia, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Potpara
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Michiel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rienstra
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Hung-Fat
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Tse
authors.affiliation: University of Birmingham Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Deirdre A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lane
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004244:Dizziness / Q000209:etiology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000379:methods; D005424:Flecainide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015995:Prevalence; D011405:Propafenone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology; D014859:Warfarin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers; D014859:Warfarin; D011405:Propafenone; D005424:Flecainide; D001241:Aspirin