2011 ACCF/AHA/HRS focused updates incorporated into the ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines developed in partnership with the European Society of Cardiology and in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Rhythm Society

2011 Writing Group Members Developed in partnership with the Heart Rhythm Society L. Samuel Wann, MD, MACC, FAHA, Chair[double dagger]; Anne B. Curtis, MD, FACC, FAHA[double dagger]§; Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, MD, FACC, FHRS[dagger]§; N.A. Mark Estes III, MD, FACC, FHRS||; Michael D. Ezekowitz, MB, ChB, FACC[double dagger]; Warren M. Jackman, MD, FACC, FHRS[double dagger]; Craig T. January, MD, PhD, FACC[double dagger]§; James E. Lowe, MD, FACC[double dagger]; Richard L. Page, MD, FACC, FHRS[dagger]; David J. Slotwiner, MD, FACC[dagger]; William G. Stevenson, MD, FACC, FAHA¶; Cynthia M. Tracy, MD, FACC[double dagger] ACCF/AHA Task Force Members Alice K. Jacobs, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair; Jeffrey L. Anderson, MD, FACC, FAHA, Chair-Elect; Nancy Albert, PhD, CCNS, CCRN; Christopher E. Buller, MD, FACC#; Mark A. Creager, MD, FACC, FAHA; Steven M. Ettinger, MD, FACC; Robert A. Guyton, MD, FACC; Jonathan L. Halperin, MD, FACC, FAHA; Judith S. Hochman, MD, FACC, FAHA; Frederick G. Kushner, MD, FACC, FAHA; Erik Magnus Ohman, MD, FACC; William G. Stevenson, MD, FACC, FAHA; Lynn G. Tarkington, RN#; Clyde W. Yancy, MD, FACC, FAHA Table of Contents Preamble (UPDATED)...e104 Introduction (UPDATED)...e105 Organization of Committee and Evidence Review (UPDATED)...e105 Contents of These Guidelines...e106 Changes Since the Initial Publication of These Guidelines in 2001...e107 Definition...e107 Atrial Fibrillation...e107 Related Arrhythmias...e107 Classification...e107 Epidemiology and Prognosis...e109 Prevalence...e109 Incidence...e110 Prognosis...e110 Pathophysiological Mechanisms...e111 Atrial Factors...e111 Atrial Pathology as a Cause of Atrial Fibrillation...e111 Pathological Changes Caused by Atrial Fibrillation...e112 Mechanisms of Atrial Fibrillation...e112 Automatic Focus Theory...e112 Multiple-Wavelet Hypothesis...e113 Atrial Electrical Remodeling...e114 Counteracting Atrial Electrical Remodeling...e115 Other Factors Contributing to Atrial Fibrillation...e115 Atrioventricular Conduction...e115 General Aspects...e115 Atrioventricular Conduction in Patients With Preexcitation Syndromes...e116 Myocardial and Hemodynamic Consequences of Atrial Fibrillation...e116 Thromboembolism...e116 Pathophysiology of Thrombus Formation...e117 Clinical Implications...e118 Causes, Associated Conditions, Clinical Manifestations, and Quality of Life...e118 Causes and Associated Conditions...e118 Reversible Causes of Atrial Fibrillation...e118 Atrial Fibrillation Without Associated Heart Dis