Atrial Fibrillation: Recent Advances, Clinical Challenges, and Future Perspectives

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, which may occur in isolation or in association with various comorbidities. This disorder is a significant risk factor for thromboembolic events, being responsible for a substantial increase in the incidence of ischemic stroke and other severe clinical events. The main risk factors for AF include hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic lung disease, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Current guidelines for the management of AF are based on three fundamental pillars, known as the "ABC of AF": (A) prevention of embolic events (Avoid Stroke), (B) symptom control (Better symptom control), and (C) management of comorbidities (Comorbidities). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review is to synthesize the available scientific evidence on atrial fibrillation, discuss recent advances in AF management, and examine current clinical challenges and future perspectives in the treatment of this condition. METHODOLOGY: A systematic literature review was conducted, selecting articles published between 2014 and 2024. The databases consulted included Scielo, BVS, Google Scholar, Mendeley, and PubMed. The inclusion criteria involved the relevance of the articles to the topic, publication date, language (Portuguese and English), and the depth of discussions related to atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in the selection of 10 articles that met the established criteria, providing the most relevant and comprehensive information on the topic. The selected studies addressed therapeutic advances, new clinical guidelines, and strategies for AF management, highlighting evidence on the importance of an individualized and integrated approach to controlling the arrhythmia and its comorbidities. CONCLUSION: