Figure 1.

Temporal classification of atrial fibrillation (AF). An incident episode of AF presenting to medical attention may be the first ever detected episode of the arrhythmia, or represent recurrence of previously recognised arrhythmia (left). The episode may prove to be self terminating (paroxysmal), persistent (continuing until medical intervention such as DC cardioversion), or permanent (continuing for longer than one year or despite medical intervention such as DC cardioversion) (right).