[Therapeutic management of non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Update 2013].

In western countries one in ten of elderly persons (> 65 years old) will develop atrial fibrillation. The main goal in atrial fibrillation therapy is the prophylaxis of thromboembolic complications through anticoagulation according to the individual risk profile (CHA2DS2-Vasc score) of patients and treatment of cardiovascular comorbidities. Symptoms during atrial fibrillation guide the further therapeutic concept. Doctors can deploy a rate control strategy with a heart rate at rest less than 110/min and/or a rhythm control strategy with cardioversion, antiarrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation to alleviate complaints. To what extent maintaining the sinus rhythm improves the prognosis of atrial fibrillation patients is part of ongoing trials.