摘要Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most great challenges of cardiology in the twenty-first century.The prevalence of AF increases with age,ranging from 1％ in youth to approximately 10％ among those over age 80 years.1 Three million people in the United States are affected by AF,and the number is estimated to increase to 5.6 million by 2050 owing to both the aging population and the alarming rise in the number of individuals with risk factors for AF.1 Similar trends are also found in China.2AF is the most intense independent risk factor of stroke and heart failure,20％ of strokes are related to AF,while nearly 30％ of heart failures are induced by AF.Atrial enlargement,remodeling,and fibrosis are keys to initiation and perpetuation of AF.Therapy for AF is directed at symptom control via rate or rhythm control,as well as prevention of thromboembolic events.In the recent years,multiple altematives,including pharmacological and nonpharmacological,have emerged as possible therapies for AF.