ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

“The evidence showed rigid control did not seem to benefit patients. We don't need to be as compulsive about absolute numbers, particularly doing exercise tests and giving multiple drugs based solely on heart rate. Patients with symptoms due to rapid heart action need treatment, and the long term adverse effects of persistent tachycardia on ventricular function are still of concern.”

“If a patient with atrial fibrillation has risk factors for stroke, I recommend that they take warfarin unless there is a strong reason not to.”