New AFNET/EHRA Consensus Highlights Expanded Role of Rhythm Control in AF Management

New AFNET/EHRA Consensus Highlights Expanded Role of Rhythm Control in AF Management

(IN BRIEF) An international panel of more than 80 experts has issued updated recommendations for managing atrial fibrillation, reflecting conclusions from the 10th AFNET/EHRA Consensus Conference. Published in EP Europace, the guidance calls for a shift toward integrated, patient-centred care that combines rhythm control, stroke prevention, management of comorbidities, and AI-driven risk assessment. The experts highlight the growing role of rhythm control therapies and the need for more personalised approaches to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs worldwide.

(PRESS RELEASE) SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, 7-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — An international group of cardiovascular experts has released updated clinical guidance calling for a broader, more integrated approach to the treatment of atrial fibrillation, reflecting conclusions from the 10th AFNET/EHRA Consensus Conference held in May 2025.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained heart rhythm disorder worldwide and is associated with a heightened risk of stroke, heart failure, and premature death. With prevalence increasing in ageing populations, the condition represents a growing clinical and economic burden for healthcare systems globally.

The consensus report, published in EP Europace, distils discussions among more than 80 experts from Europe, North America, and Australia. The panel identified key gaps in current care and outlined priorities for improving outcomes, emphasizing that AF management should extend beyond stroke prevention alone.

According to the experts, treatment strategies are increasingly shifting toward comprehensive care that includes management of comorbid conditions, reduction of atrial fibrillation burden, and wider adoption of rhythm control therapies. Despite growing evidence, both rhythm control and systematic treatment of associated risk factors remain underutilised in routine practice, contributing to persistent poor outcomes and rising healthcare costs.

Dr Emma Svennberg, cardiologist in Stockholm and first author of the consensus paper, noted that modern AF care requires a more streamlined and holistic approach. She highlighted the need to address risk factors, rhythm abnormalities, and coexisting conditions together, rather than treating them in isolation.

The report underscores the expanding role of rhythm control as a means to modify disease progression and reduce cardiovascular events. While catheter ablation continues to gain traction, the panel stressed that many patients will still require pharmacological rhythm control, either as a standalone therapy or in combination with interventional approaches.

Prof. Paulus Kirchhof, Chair of the AFNET board and one of the conference co-chairs, said the evolving treatment landscape creates an urgent need for rhythm control therapies that are simple, safe, and effective. He pointed to the importance of developing new antiarrhythmic drugs, improving use of existing therapies, and advancing preventive strategies.

In addition, the consensus highlights the potential of risk-driven management, quantitative disease markers, and artificial intelligence–based tools to improve risk stratification and personalise treatment decisions. These innovations could help clinicians deliver more precise care while reducing unnecessary interventions and costs.

Prof. Andreas Goette, AFNET board member and conference co-chair, said the recommendations support a patient-centred, multimodal model of care that integrates rhythm control, stroke prevention, and treatment of comorbidities. He added that such approaches help bridge current clinical needs with future therapeutic advances.

Prof. Jose Luis Merino, past president of the European Heart Rhythm Association and conference co-chair, emphasised the long-standing role of AFNET/EHRA consensus meetings in fostering international collaboration. He said the updated recommendations are expected to help optimise AF treatment and improve outcomes for patients worldwide.

The conference received financial support from the MAESTRIA programme under EU Horizon 2020. Industry participants contributed through attendance fees.

References:

Svennberg E et al. Transforming Atrial Fibrillation Management by Targeting Comorbidities and Reducing Atrial Fibrillation Burden: the 10th AFNET/EHRA Consensus Conference. Europace, 15 December, 2025.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/europace/euaf318

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European Heart Rhythm Association  (EHRA)  

As a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), the EHRA is the leading network of European Cardiac Rhythm Management. The EHRA is a strong association with more than 4,100 members around the globe, including physicians, arrhythmologists, young electrophysiologists, nurses and allied professionals.

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About the Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) 

AFNET is an interdisciplinary research network of scientists and physicians dedicated to improving atrial fibrillation (AF) management through coordinated research in Germany, Europe, and worldwide. Its core mission is to conduct high-quality clinical trials, registries, and translational projects that inform cardiovascular care.

For over 20 years, AFNET’s work has advanced AF treatment, influenced guidelines, and improved patient outcomes. Current projects are supported by the German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) and EU research grants.

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SOURCE: European Society of Cardiology