Abstract: Objective: To summarize the relevant evidence of follow-up of patients with atrial fibrillation after discharge. Methods: Guidelines, consensus, systematic reviews, Meta-analyses, evidence summaries, clinical decisions on out-of-hospital follow-up, rehabilitation, health education, discharge planning, and transitional care of patients with atrial fibrillation were systematically retrieved from relevant association websites, guideline websites, and Chinese and English databases. The search time was from the establishment of the database to February 2023. The quality of the retrieved literature was evaluated, and the evidence was extracted and summarized in combination with professional judgment. Results: A total of 13 articles were included, including 1 clinical decision, 5 guidelines, 6 expert consensus and 1 Meta-analysis. A total of 26 best evidences were summarized in 10 themes, including follow-up personnel, follow-up methods, follow-up content, follow-up time, dynamic evaluation, compliance evaluation, health education, weight management, exercise management, and complication management. Conclusion: This study summarizes the best evidence for follow-up of patients with atrial fibrillation after discharge, and provides evidence-based basis for clinical medical staff to formulate scientific discharge follow-up plans for patients with atrial fibrillation. Medical staff should combine the individual characteristics of patients and medical professional judgment to apply the evidence in clinical practice.

Key words: atrial fibrillation; follow-up; rehabilitation; evidence summary; evidence-based nursing