| Atrial Fibrillation Category
|
Definition
|
| Paroxysmal |
- Terminates spontaneously or with intervention within 7 days of onset.
- Episodes may recur with variable frequency.
|
| Persistent |
- Continuous sustained >7 days
|
| Long-standing persistent |
- Continuous >12 mo in duration.
|
| Permanent |
- Used when the patient and clinician make a joint decision to stop further attempts to restore and/or maintain sinus rhythm.
- Acceptance represents a therapeutic attitude on the part of the patient and clinician rather than an inherent pathophysiological attribute.
- May change as symptoms, efficacy of therapeutic interventions, and patient and clinician preferences evolve.
|
| Nonvalvular |
- In the absence of rheumatic mitral stenosis, a mechanical or bioprosthetic heart valve, or mitral valve repair.
|
