Atrial fibrillation guidelines across the Atlantic: A comparison of the current recommendations of the European society of cardiology/European heart rhythm association/European association of cardiothoracic surgeons, the American college of cardiology foundation/American heart association/heart rhythm society, and the Canadian cardiovascular society

摘要

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained arrhythmia, has been a major focus for heart rhythm-related research in recent years. The evidence supporting recommendations for the management of AF has markedly increased since the publication of the 2006 ACC/AHA/ESC guidelines on AF (Supplementary material online).Therefore, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), together with the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) and the European Association of Cardiothoracic Surgeons (EACTS), mindful of a distinct regulatory, medico-legal and medical practice environment in Europe, published comprehensive new guidelines for the management of patients with AF in 2010, and a focused update of these guidelines in 2012. The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS), based on similar considerations, published a full set of AF guidelines in 2011, which was updated in 2012.