Topic: Atrial Fibrillation: Diagnosis and Therapeutic Advances

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias encountered in clinical practice and is associated with a range of adverse outcomes, including thromboembolism, stroke, and dementia. As a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, AF substantially impairs patients’ quality of life. Early diagnosis and effective management are essential to mitigate its detrimental cardiovascular effects. Increasing evidence suggests that early intervention not only facilitates rhythm control but may also slow or halt AF progression. Nevertheless, clinicians continue to face numerous challenges in the timely detection and management of this complex condition.

This Special Issue aims to highlight recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of AF, with a particular focus on screening strategies, diagnostic methods, clinical management, and patient outcomes. We welcome submissions of original research articles, reviews, meta-analyses, and case reports addressing, but not limited to, the following topics:

1. Mechanistic studies of AF, including identification of novel therapeutic targets;

2. Innovations in AF screening and diagnostic tools, including biomarker discovery and prognostic modeling;

3. Risk stratification strategies for AF recurrence or progression;

4. Strategies for thromboembolism prevention, including anticoagulationand left atrial appendage occlusion;

5. Advances in pharmacologic rhythm control therapies;

6. Catheter ablation techniques, such as radiofrequency, cryoablation, and pulsed field ablation;

7. Device-based therapies,including pacing strategies, left bundle branch area pacing, and leadless systems;

8. Personalized managementapproaches for special populations, including the elderly patients and those with metabolic comorbidities;

9. Integration of digital health technologies and artificial intelligence in AFmonitoring and management;

10. The role of the autonomic nervous system in AFand the therapeutic potential of neuromodulation or cardio-neuro-ablation as adjunctive strategies;

11. Epidemiological trends and risk factors associated with AF.

Atrial fibrillation, diagnostic modalities, risk stratification, antithrombotic therapy, catheter ablation, rhythm control, personalized management, digital health technologies.