Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia affecting about 1% of the general population. Treatments such as rate controlling therapy and anticoagulants are commonly used to stabilise
heart rhythm and prevent complications that may arise from AF. But, how effective are the current range of treatments for AF and does the time of intervention impact on the eventual outcome of this prevalent condition?

In BMC Medicine this week, Paulus Kirchhof dicusses the range of treatments available to AF sufferers and the reasons why these treatments do not improve outcomes.

Kirchhof suggests that initiating treatment at an earlier stage may be beneficial for the
millions of people afflicted by AF and argues that early diagnosis via the use
of newer screening technologies, together with the development and delivery of
safer rhythm control interventions are needed to improve outcomes in people
with AF.

You, or someone you know, is likely to experience AF, so why not check out the full commentary here.

Mick Aulakh

Assistant Editor, BMC Medicine