Risk factor management and atrial fibrillation.

The management of atrial fibrillation (AF) is multifaceted and treatment paradigms have changed significantly in the last century. The treatment of AF requires a comprehensive approach which goes beyond the treatment of the arrhythmia alone. Risk factor management has been introduced as a crucial pillar of AF management. As a result, the landscape of care delivery is changing as well, and novel models of comprehensive care delivery for AF have been introduced. This article reviews the evidence for the role of risk factor management in AF, how this can be integrated and implemented in clinical practice by applying novel models of care delivery, and finally identifies areas for ongoing research and potential healthcare reform to comprehensively manage the burgeoning AF population. Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved.