Atrial Fibrillation: Clinical Updates and Perspectives

Dear Colleagues,

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia in adults, with an estimated prevalence ranging between 2% and 4%. Atrial fibrillation is responsible for 20%–30% of all ischemic strokes and significantly increases the risk of heart failure as well as dementia. Moreover, this arrhythmia has a significant impact on quality of life and functional status.

Atrial fibrillation poses a considerable burden for healthcare systems, requiring a multidisciplinary approach for early detection, effective pharmacological and/or interventional treatments, and complication prevention.

In recent years, multiple efforts have been devoted to obtaining an effective rhythm control strategy and stroke prophylaxis. Transcatheter ablation has become the most effective arrhythmia control strategy currently available. Specifically, the adoption of novel nonthermal energy sources for cardiac tissue ablation has substantially improved the safety and efficacy of this approach. Similarly, new devices with which to exclude the left atrial appendage from systemic circulation have proven noninferior in preventing thromboembolic events compared to oral anticoagulation in high-risk patients. Researchers in this field are encouraged to submit an original research or review article to this Special Issue that can provide useful insights into the clinical updates and perspectives directed to the management of atrial fibrillation, with a particular emphasis on catheter ablation and stroke prophylaxis.

Dr. Michele Magnocavallo
Dr. Stefano Bianchi
Dr. Filippo Maria Cauti
Dr. Pietro Rossi 
Dr. Domenico G. Della Rocca
Guest Editors

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