**7. Conclusions**

AF during septic shock has been insufficiently studied. This has led to relevant uncertainties regarding its etiology, pathophysiology and appropriate management. Risk factors for chronic AF and NOAF frequently differ, and the unique pathophysiology of NOAF remains to be fully elucidated. Despite of a high probability of successful cardioversion achieved by pharmacological or electrical means, these treatment modalities have shown modest efficacy in affecting the medium and long-term prognosis of septic shock patients with AF. The benefits of anticoagulation in shock septic patients with AF have not been firmly established, while the risk of bleeding is increased in septic patients. Evidence-based guidelines and even expert consensus documents on the subject of NOAF management are lacking. Properly designed multicenter, prospective randomized trials are needed to clarify these questions.
