Evaluation of epidemiologic data, concomitant cardiovascular risk factors, treatment strategies and the current atrial fibrillation registry: RealiseAF

As a supraventricular arrhythmia characterized by uncoordinated atrial activation and consequent loss of atrial mechanical function, atrial fibrillation has been considered to be a significant public health problem with its age-dependent demographic trend for both patients and health care system. Randomized trials on electrophysiological mechanisms, treatment with antiarrhyhtmic/anticoagulant drugs and non-pharmacological treatment have provided considerable insight into the nature and treatment of the disease leading to novel promising therapeutic options in the management of patients with AF. Comprehension of the epidemiology and natural course of AF seems to be crucial in developing new treatment strategies to limit burden of the disease on the population and also for fair distribution of resources. The aim of this review was to evaluate AF in terms of its incidence, prevalence, concomitant cardiovascular risk factors, and treatment strategies with special emphasis on current real-life challenges in disease management.