What is your outpatient approach to patients with new-onset paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in the setting of acute illness but who are otherwise asymptomatic with normal sinus rhythm post-hospital discharge?   

This is an excellent question for which there is not currently a lot of data. My practice is based upon the evidence that patients with infection-related atrial fibrillation do have a significantly higher risk of stroke, while at the same time, anticoagulation has not been demonstrated to be helpful...

 I tend to individualize my approach. In general, I consider any significant episode of atrial fibrillation with a chadsvasc 2 score =/>2 to warrant long-term anticoagulation provided no bleeding contraindications. An acute illness involving infection, trauma or surgery would not likely stee...