The present paper discusses the general principles of management of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter under special circumstances. Management recommendations, which encompass initial assessment, initial arrhythmia management and chronic pharmacological therapy, are outlined for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and congenital heart disease. Recommendations are also made for pregnant patients and pediatric patients without congenital heart disease. Discrepancies between the authors' recommendations and those from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/European Society of Cardiology are discussed.