General management of Atrial Fibrillation
July 2026
About atrial fibrillation
Managing atrial fibrillation (AF) should be integrated, patient-centred, and based on shared decision-making. Effective care requires regular reassessment because symptoms, risks, and treatment options evolve over time.
To reduce the burden and progression of AF, comorbidities and risk factors should be actively identified and treated. Symptom control should be individualised using rate control, rhythm control, or both.
Stroke prevention, through appropriate anticoagulation, remains a cornerstone of AF management. Our resources provide clear guidance on risk assessment and the latest therapeutic options.
This month, FOCUS features a selection of key resources on AF, including congress sessions, webinars, journal articles, textbook chapters, and eLearning courses.
Webinars
2024 ESC Guidelines on Atrial Fibrillation -AF-CARE pathway: the new paradigm for treatment of atrial fibrillation
Anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation: implementing the 2024 ESC Guidelines in Clinical Practice
Resources available to all
Essentials
ESC Guidelines
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. <em>Endorsed by the European Stroke Organisation (ESO)</em>
Key Supporting Evidence
European Heart Journal, Volume 41
Integrated management of atrial fibrillation in primary care: results of the ALL-IN cluster randomized trial
European Heart Journal, Volume 45
Anticoagulation in device-detected atrial fibrillation with or without vascular disease: a combined analysis of the NOAH-AFNET 6 and ARTESiA trials
EP Europace, Volume 18
EHRA/HRS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus on atrial cardiomyopathies: definition, characterization, and clinical implication
EP Europace, Volume 24
Comparative effectiveness of early rhythm control versus rate control for cardiovascular outcomes according to sex in patients with atrial fibrillation
EP Europace, Volume 24
Evaluation of the atrial fibrillation better care pathway in the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial
EP Europace, Volume 28
Pulsed field ablation for the interventional treatment of atrial fibrillation: a scientific statement of the European Heart Rhythm Association of the European Society of Cardiology, the Heart Rhythm Society, the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society, the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society, and the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society
EP Europace, Volume 28
Incidence and predictors of AF recurrence during long-term follow-up of patients after PF ablation for atrial fibrillation
EP Europace, Volume 28
Burden and age-specific trends of atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter from 1990 to 2023: a growing challenge among younger and middle-aged adults
EP Europace, Volume 23
The Atrial Fibrillation Better Care pathway for managing atrial fibrillation: a review
European Heart Journal - Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes, Volume 7
Optimization of atrial fibrillation care: management strategies and quality measures
Exclusively for members
Dig Deeper
In practice
From TIA to intracranial haemorrhage: when and how should we (re)start oral anticoagulation?
To switch or not to switch? Optimising NOAC therapy in atrial fibrillation
Low adherence to NOAC treatment: main reasons and possible solutions to improve clinical outcomes
Preventing stroke in atrial fibrillation: what's new in 2026? Key insights from ESC Congress
Interface with the specialists
Key updates from the EHRA/HRS/APHRS/LAHRS 2024 Expert Consensus Statement on Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Atrial fibrillation, frailty, and stroke prevention: how to navigate this Bermuda Triangle
Re-do AF procedures
How to adapt your anticoagulation practice according to the 2024 ESC Guidelines on Atrial Fibrillation: rationale and recommendations
Episode 1: Strategic decisions in afib - Critical evaluation of clinical trials
Pioneers' viewpoint
Novel strategies for secondary stroke prevention: focus on factor XIa Inhibitors
EHRA Journal Club - EHRA Late-Breaking Trial: left bundle CRT
Surgical LAA exclusion - from underused opportunity to guideline-supported practice: evidence and practical insights for AF patients
LAAC therapy in clinical practice: insights and practical guidelines
The HFA Journal Club: HF recovery in focus - the WITHDRAW -AF trial
Multimorbidity in stroke risk and management: harnessing novel technologies for risk assessment and management
OPTION, CHAMPION-AF and Beyond: The Future of LAAO
EHRA-PATHS: The rationale (and pain) of a clinical trial with new software to tackle comorbidities in AF
Episode 22: Oral anticoagulation in afib - The smartwatch ECG
Episode 05: SPECIAL Atrial Fibrillation: AF burden - Pulsed field ablation: game changer? - Treatment following AF ablation
Test yourself - eLearning courses
EHRA-PATHS: systematic comorbidity management in AF
2024 ESC Guidelines for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation
CATCH ME
ESC Pocket Guidelines Mobile App
Convenient resources available directly on your mobile device.
