Comprehensive risk reduction in patients with atrial fibrillation: emerging diagnostic and therapeutic options--a report from the 3rd Atrial Fibrillation Competence NETwork/European Heart Rhythm Association consensus conference.

Abstract

While management of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients is improved by guideline-conform application of anticoagulant therapy, rate control, rhythm control, and therapy of accompanying heart disease, the morbidity and mortality associated with AF remain unacceptably high. This paper describes the proceedings of the 3rd Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET)/European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) consensus conference that convened over 60 scientists and representatives from industry to jointly discuss emerging therapeutic and diagnostic improvements to achieve better management of AF patients. The paper covers four chapters: (i) risk factors and risk markers for AF; (ii) pathophysiological classification of AF; (iii) relevance of monitored AF duration for AF-related outcomes; and (iv) perspectives and needs for implementing better antithrombotic therapy. Relevant published literature for each section is covered, and suggestions for the improvement of management in each area are put forward. Combined, the propositions formulate a perspective to implement comprehensive management in AF.

• Authors: Paulus Kirchhof, Gregory Y H Lip, Isabelle C Van Gelder, Jeroen Bax, Elaine Hylek, Stefan Kaab, Ulrich Schotten, Karl Wegscheider, Giuseppe Boriani, Axel Brandes, Michael Ezekowitz, Hans Diener, Laurent Haegeli, Hein Heidbuchel, Deirdre Lane, Luis Mont, Stephan Willems, Paul Dorian, Maria Aunes-Jansson, Carina Blomstrom-Lundqvist, Maria Borentain, Stefanie Breitenstein, Martina Brueckmann, Nilo Cater, Andreas Clemens, Dobromir Dobrev, Sergio Dubner, Nils G Edvardsson, Leif Friberg, Andreas Goette, Michele Gulizia, Robert Hatala, Jenny Horwood, Lukas Szumowski, Lukas Kappenberger, Josef Kautzner, Angelika Leute, Trudie Lobban, Ralf Meyer, Jay Millerhagen, John Morgan, Felix Muenzel, Michael Nabauer, Christoph Baertels, Michael Oeff, Dieter Paar, Juergen Polifka, Ursula Ravens, Ludger Rosin, W Stegink, Gerhard Steinbeck, Panos Vardas, Alphons Vincent, Maureen Walter, Günter Breithardt, A John Camm
• Journal: Europace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology (Europace) Vol. 14 Issue 1 Pg. 8-27 (Jan 2012) ISSN: 1532-2092 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21791573 (Publication Type: Clinical Conference, Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
• Biomarkers
• Fibrinolytic Agents

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Arrhythmia Agents (therapeutic use)
• Atrial Fibrillation (diagnosis, drug therapy, physiopathology, therapy)
• Biomarkers (analysis)
• Female
• Fibrinolytic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Rats
• Risk Reduction Behavior
• Treatment Outcome