Table 2 Potential areas for clinical application of genetic discoveries in atrial fibrillation (AF) management

Risk prediction

Predict new-onset AF or AF-related morbidity (stroke, heart failure, mortality risk)

Benchmark for clinical trial development

Absence of known preventive strategies for AF

Facilitate AF and clinical outcome prevention

Cohorts for genetic risk score derivation predominantly of European ancestry

Small relative risks of discovered variants

Complexity of incorporation into clinical practice

Cost

Untested

Predict AF progression

Early antiarrhythmic or ablation intervention

Unclear relations between AF progression and morbidity and mortality

Untested

Patient management

Pharmacogenetics

Maximize efficacy, minimize adverse effects

Development of novel agents with wide therapeutic margins

Thromboembolism prophylaxis

Ablation and mechanical interventions as alternatives

Antiarrhythmic therapy

Complexity of incorporation into clinical practice

Cost

Untested