Box 2.
The AF Better Care (ABC) integrated pathway11
| A: Avoid stroke: optimise stroke prevention |
| Assessment of thromboembolic and bleeding risk |
| Anticoagulation for high-risk patients |
| B: Better symptom management: treat symptoms |
| Patient-centred and symptom-directed decisions on rate versus rhythm control |
| C: Cardiovascular and other comorbidities: manage risk factors |
| Hypertension (aim for blood pressure ≤130/80 mmHg) |
| Heart failure (guideline-directed therapies) |
| Diabetes (optimise glycaemic control) |
| Ischaemic heart disease |
| Obstructive sleep apnoea (continuous positive airway pressure compliance) |
| Lifestyle changes: weight loss, diet optimisation, regular exercise, alcohol reduction, smoking cessation |