An international group of cardiovascular scientists, led by Professor Deirdre Lane, has published an invited Seminar on atrial fibrillation in The Lancet, one of the world’s leading medical journals.
Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia) characterised by rapid, disorganised electrical signals that cause the heart's upper chambers (atria) to ‘quiver’ instead of beating effectively. This leads to an irregular and often rapid pulse, which can cause symptoms such as palpitations, fatigue and dizziness.
The authors were invited by The Lancet to produce the Seminar, a peer-reviewed article that provides a comprehensive clinical overview of a specific disease or health condition.
The Seminar provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in the detection and management of atrial fibrillation, to support healthcare professionals in delivering guideline-adherent care and improving patient outcomes.
The authors highlight the growing global burden of atrial fibrillation, which now affects an estimated 37.6 million people worldwide. They outline advances in detection through digital technologies such as wearable devices, alongside effective treatment approaches, including oral anticoagulation to prevent stroke and earlier use of rhythm-control strategies such as catheter ablation. The authors also emphasise the importance of integrated, patient-centred care and management of underlying risk factors.
Atrial fibrillation, Lane, Deirdre A et al. The Lancet, Volume 407, Issue 10532, 1000 – 1013
Free access to the article is available until 24 April.