Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, affecting ~37.6 million people globally, with prevalence expected to double in the coming decades.

A recent Lancet Seminar (2026) highlights several key principles shaping modern AF care:

• Stroke prevention with oral anticoagulation remains the cornerstone

• Early rhythm control strategies improve cardiovascular outcomes

• Catheter ablation is increasingly used as first-line therapy

• Lifestyle modification—weight loss, exercise, alcohol reduction—reduces AF burden

• Integrated care models such as the ABC pathway and AF-CARE improve outcomes

The future of AF management is holistic, preventive, and patient-centred.

#Cardiology #AtrialFibrillation #StrokePrevention #Electrophysiology #PrecisionMedicine