Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia encountered by clinicians. Clinical decision-making focuses on reducing ischemic stroke risk in AF patients; however, AF is also associated with an increased risk of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Patients with ACS and concurrent AF are less likely to receive appropriate therapies and more likely to experience adverse outcomes than ACS patients in sinus rhythm (SR). Clinicians may be able to stratify ACS patients at increased risk of AF development based on clinical characteristics. Evidence supporting specific therapeutic options for prevention of ACS in AF patients or for prevention of AF in ACS patients is limited, however there is some evidence of differing effects among oral anticoagulant regimens in these populations. Investigations of the relationship of AF with the full spectrum of ACS are not well described and should be the focus of future research.
Keywords: Acute Coronary Syndrome; Atrial Fibrillation; Clinical Decision-Making; Myocardial Infarction; Sinus Rhythm; Unstable Angina.