New 2026 AHA/ACC Clinical Performance and Quality Measures for Patients With Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) provide an updated framework to help improve the quality, consistency and equity of AFib care. Developed in collaboration with the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and the Heart Rhythm Society, the document translates the strongest Class 1 and Class 3 recommendations from the 2023 ACC/AHA AFib Guideline into measurable clinical practice standards. Read the full document in JACC.

Performance Measures

The document includes five performance measures that focus on ensuring that patients with newly diagnosed AFib receive a comprehensive initial evaluation, as well as promote secondary prevention strategies such as weight management, physical activity, smoking cessation, alcohol moderation and blood pressure control. They also include documenting validated stroke and systemic embolism risk assessments annually and prescribing appropriate anticoagulation when indicated.

Quality Measures

According to the Writing Committee, led by Chair Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, SCM, FACC, and Vice Chair Gregory M. Marcus, MD, MAS, FACC, the 16 quality measures "cover a variety of topics including measuring and addressing health inequities, optimizing antiarrhythmic or anticoagulant treatment, engaging in shared decision-making for rate vs. rhythm-control strategies, and, in appropriate patients, offering catheter ablation for those with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction."

Unlike the performance measures that are suitable for public reporting or pay-for-performance programs, quality measures are intended primarily for quality improvement efforts within health systems and clinical practices. Across all measures, exceptions are recognized when treatment is clinically inappropriate, unlikely to provide benefit or declined by the patient.

Overall, the authors note that "performance and quality measures are intended to translate scientific evidence into clinical practice and are designed to provide practitioners and health systems with tools to measure the quality of care provided and identify opportunities for improvement."

Looking Ahead

They also highlight the need for additional research into the evaluation and treatment of AFib, as well as guidance for clinicians and the public regarding the use of wearables and subsequent data. Additionally, "research into various approaches to minimize thromboembolic risk while further reducing bleeding risks should continue to be prioritized," they write.