Recommendation 1 – Complete history and physical examination (2010)
All patients with atrial fibrillation should undergo a complete history and physical examination, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and basic laboratory investigations. Details are highlighted in Table 1 (Strong Recommendation; Low Quality Evidence). Other ancillary tests should be considered under specific circumstances. Details included in Table 2 (Strong Recommendation; Low Quality Evidence).

Values and preferences (2010)
This recommendation places a high value on a comprehensive evaluation of patients with AF and a lower value on initial costs to the health care system.

Recommendation 2 – Well-being, symptoms, and quality of life (2010)
We recommend that the assessment of patient well-being, symptoms, and quality of life be part of the evaluation of every patient with AF (Strong Recommendation, Low Quality Evidence).

Recommendation 3 – Quality of life – CCS-AF scale (2010)
We suggest that the quality of life of the AF patient be assessed in routine care using the CCS SAF scale (Conditional Recommendation, Low Quality Evidence).

Values and preferences (2010)
Recommendations 2 and 3 recognize that improvement in quality of life is a high priority for therapeutic decision making.

Recommendation 4 - Underlying causes or precipitating factors (2010)
Underlying causes or precipitating factors for AF including hypertension should be identified and treated. Details are highlighted in Table 3 (Strong Recommendation; High Quality of Evidence).

Values and preferences (2010)
This recommendation recognizes that therapy of underlying etiology can improve management of AF and that failure to recognize underlying factors may result in deleterious effects.