2024 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation

2024 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS): Developed by the task force for the management of atrial fibrillation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), with the special contribution of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the ESC.
Endorsed by the European Stroke Organisation (ESO)

In this iteration of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) practice guidelines on AF, the task force has consolidated and evolved past approaches to develop the AF-CARE framework. Addressing [C] comorbidities and risk factors is placed as the initial and central component of patient management. This should be considered first as it applies to all patients with AF, regardless of their thromboembolic risk factors or any symptoms that might warrant intervention. This is followed by considering how best to [A] avoid stroke and thromboembolism, and then the options available to reduce symptoms, and in some cases improve prognosis, through [R] rate and rhythm control. [E] Evaluation and reassessment should be individualised for every patient, with a dynamic approach that accounts for how AF and its associated conditions change over time.

The task force developing the 2024 AF guidelines have made implementation a key goal by focusing on the underpinning evidence and using a consistent writing style for each recommendation (the intervention proposed, the population it should be applied to, and the potential value to the patient, followed by any exceptions). These initiatives have been designed to make the 2024 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation easier to read, follow, and implement, with the aim of improving the lives of patients with AF.


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