Classification of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the subject of several overlapping schemes of classification in which the subgroups are often poorly defined. New methods of classification have been applied to accommodate new information and new concepts. These are often appropriate only in limited circumstances and may lead to confusion if applied out of context, We will describe the principal schemes used to classify AF and discuss the limitations of each. (C)1998 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.