The Society developed its AF 360° initiative to comprehensively address:

• Atrial fibrillation (AF) professional education;
• Effective dissemination of AF clinical practice protocols; and
• Reimbursement and regulation advocacy for AF and stroke-related issues

Visit the AF 360º Resource Center, the Society's online resource for the most comprehensive, relevant AF information and education.

The initiative's key elements include:

• Guidelines — The Heart Rhythm Society released its Expert Clinical Consensus Statement on Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in May 2007 [read Executive Summary, (PDF, 138K)]. The Society also actively endorsed the updated AF Guidelines from the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology.
• CME Outcomes — The Society is piloting an AF CME Outcomes Campaign, tied to the updated guidlines and newly prioritized treatment protocols. The study follows AF CME participants into their practices to assess changes in decision-making and patient management.
• Advocacy Campaign — The Heart Rhythm Society is partnering with related professional medical societies to ensure appropriate coverage and reimbursement for AF treatments by payers of all types. Contacts are being made with high-level government and private payers to align coverage decisions and payment levels.
• AFib Summit —The Society hosted the AF Summit, an intensive AF treatment and education program for advanced cardiac electrophysiologists that featured landmark presentations by the world's best AF clinicians. It was held in conjunction with Heart Rhythm 2007, the 28th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society.

The AF 360° Vision Statement

The Heart Rhythm Society’s mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education and optimal health care policies and standards. Through AF 360°, the Society commits to its members, the broader health care community and patients with atrial fibrillation to put the words of its mission into action. AF 360° is a two-year initiative in which the Society will dedicate its expertise and resources to advancing optimal diagnosis, treatment and management of patients with AF with the goal of preventing stroke and improving quality of life. The Society will strive to become the primary, comprehensive resource for both health care professionals and the public for information, education and news on AF.

Information and education channels will include professional education for the practicing clinician, from cardiac electrophysiologists to general cardiologists, internists, family practitioners and gynecologists; patient and caregiver education delivered by clinicians and allied care professionals; health policy directed toward decision-makers at the federal and private payer levels and peer-reviewed practice protocols for clinicians.

Learn more about the signs, symptoms and treatment of atrial fibrillation.