{"id":128952,"date":"2023-01-09T16:55:25","date_gmt":"2023-01-09T16:55:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ccs.ca\/?post_type=guideline&p=128952"},"modified":"2023-06-14T09:09:57","modified_gmt":"2023-06-14T09:09:57","slug":"introduction","status":"publish","type":"guideline","link":"https:\/\/ccs.ca\/guideline\/2020-atrial-fibrillation\/introduction\/","title":{"rendered":"Introduction"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, is associated with reduced quality of life (QOL), functional status, cardiac performance, and survival. The contemporary management of AF is centred on symptomatic improvement, diminution in morbidity and mortality (particularly the prevention of cardiomyopathy, and stroke\/systemic embolism), and reduction in AF-related emergency department (ED) visits or hospitalizations (Fig. 1). The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) AF guidelines program was developed to aid clinicians in the management of these complex patients, as well as to provide direction to policy makers and health systems regarding the management of patients with AF. Beginning with the 1994 CCS consensus conference on AF, the CCS AF guidelines program has provided comprehensive guideline updates in 2004 and 2010, with focused updates on the basis of emerging evidence in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018.[1]<\/a>–[8]<\/a><\/sup> The 2020 iteration of the CCS AF guidelines is a comprehensive renewal that integrates, updates, and replaces the past decade of guidelines, recommendations, and practical tips. It is intended to be used by practicing clinicians across all disciplines who care for patients with AF. The 2020 comprehensive AF guidelines address the following topics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Methodology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n