Atrial Fibrillation 2024

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, affecting 1.5-2% of European adults, with an anticipated surge to 9.5% in individuals aged over 65 by 2060. As a primary contributor to stroke, dementia, heart failure, and premature mortality, AF constitutes a significant threat to the expanding elderly demographic and healthcare systems. This Series of five articles in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe, provides a comprehensive exploration of AF-related themes. It encompasses an evaluation of the potential of AF screening for stroke and embolism prevention, explores emerging links between genetic regulation and pathophysiology, discusses recent advances in comprehending and managing risk factors, outlines current treatment modalities for rate and rhythm control, and elucidates the contemporary approach to stroke prevention. The esteemed panel of experts contributing to this Series have identified key opportunities for improving AF care. These include the implementation of digital screening, the development of robust methodologies to discern ethnic and racial variations in AF risk, the development of predictive models to accommodate long-term trajectories in risk factors, and a push for greater patient involvement in treatment decision-making processes. https://www.thelancet.com/series/europe-atrial-fibrillation?dgcid=hubspot_update_feature_lanepeatrialfibrillation24&utm_campaign=update-lanepe&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=293795093&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9rJCmqnt3OqvJ7X5_8kYbFIc5bX83r2r6Dqd_ee_jpL8t39cc5EtF34vJKJRbexsQHeAdzbUbWOGA7M7tXxdIC9LcxLQ&utm_content=293762779&utm_source=hs_email