Management of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increases in the risk of mortality, congestive heart failure, and stroke. Medical treatment is aimed at preventing thrombo-embolic complications and reducing symptoms and consequences related to the arrhythmia. In the first section of this review, we discuss the principles of mainstream oral anticoagulant therapy and the possible advantages of the new oral anticoagulants. In the second section, we review the catheter ablation approaches to paroxysmal and persistent/long-standing AF, their results, and the current application of new catheters.