We suggest that consideration be given to anticoagulation therapy if postoperative continuous AF persists for &gt;72 hours. This consideration will include individualized assessment of the risks of a thromboembolic event and the risk of postoperative bleeding. (Recommendation Conditional, Quality Low)<br /><br /><b>Values and preferences: </b>This recommendation places a higher value on minimizing the risk of thromboembolic events and a lower value on the potential for postoperative bleeding. Because the risk of postoperative bleeding decreases with time, the benefit-to-risk ratio favours a longer period without anticoagulation in the postoperative setting than that suggested in other settings.