Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a disorganized tachyarrhythmia with significant public
health importance due to high morbidity, mortality, and health-care costs. Incidence
rate of AF is on the rise and there are several modifiable and nonmodifiable risk
factors that are responsible. Exact mechanisms and pathogenesis of AF are still poorly
understood, yet they still have great implications in management. The aim of this
article is to summarize the epidemiology, major risk factors, and their role in the
pathogenesis of AF. Finally, we have reviewed the classification of AF as per professional
society guidelines.
Keywords
atrial fibrillation - etiology - pathology - classification - stroke - ablation -
risk factors
