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Callanan A, Quinlan D, Kearney PM, O'Sullivan S, Zhi GTY, Crichton A, Howell MW, Bradley C, Buckley C. Opportunistic atrial fibrillation screening in primary care in Ireland: results of a pilot screening programme. Open Heart 2024; 11:e002563. [PMID: 38724265 PMCID: PMC11086480 DOI: 10.1136/openhrt-2023-002563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF), a common, frequently asymptomatic cardiac arrhythmia, is a major risk factor for stroke. Identification of AF enables effective preventive treatment to be offered, potentially reducing stroke risk by up to two-thirds. There is international consensus that opportunistic AF screening is valuable though uncertainty remains about the optimum screening location and method. Primary care has been identified as a potential location for AF screening using one-lead ECG devices. METHODS A pilot AF screening programme is in primary care in the south of Ireland. General practitioners (GPs) were recruited from Cork and Kerry. GPs invited patients ≥65 years to undergo AF screening. The screening comprised a one-lead ECG device, Kardia Mobile, blood pressure check and ascertainment of smoking status. Possible AF on one-lead ECG was confirmed with a 12-lead ECG. GPs also recorded information including medical history, current medication and onward referral. The Keele Decision Support tool was used to assess patients for oral anticoagulation (OAC). RESULTS 3555 eligible patients, attending 52 GPs across 34 GP practices, agreed to undergo screening. 1720 (48%) were female, 1780 (50%) were hypertensive and 285 (8%) were current smokers. On the one-lead ECG, 3282 (92%) were in normal sinus rhythm, 101 (3%) had possible AF and among 124 (4%) the one-lead ECG was unreadable or unclassified. Of the 101 patients with possible AF, 45 (45%) had AF confirmed with 12-lead ECG, an incidence rate of AF of 1.3%. Among the 45 confirmed AF cases, 27 (60%) were commenced on OAC therapy by their GP. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that AF screening in primary care may prove useful for early detection of AF cases that can be assessed for treatment. One-lead ECG devices may be useful in the detection of paroxysmal AF in this population and setting. Current OAC of AF may be suboptimal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen Callanan
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | - Susanne O'Sullivan
- Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, Health Service Executive, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Alyssa Crichton
- Department of General Practice, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Colin Bradley
- Department of General Practice, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Claire Buckley
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Jones ID, Lane DA, Lotto RR, Oxborough D, Neubeck L, Penson PE, Smith EJ, Santos A, McGinn EE, Ajiboye A, Town N, Czanner G, Shaw A, El-Masri H, Lip GYH. Supermarket/hypermarket opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation (SHOPS-AF) using sensors embedded in the handles of supermarket trolleys: A feasibility study. Am Heart J 2024; 271:164-177. [PMID: 38395294 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2024.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of death, stroke, heart failure, cognitive decline, and healthcare costs but is often asymptomatic and undiagnosed. There is currently no national screening program for AF. The advent of validated hand-held devices allows AF to be detected in non-healthcare settings, enabling screening to be undertaken within the community. METHOD AND RESULTS In this novel observational study, we embedded a MyDiagnostick single lead ECG sensor into the handles of shopping trolleys in four supermarkets in the Northwest of England: 2155 participants were recruited. Of these, 231 participants either activated the sensor or had an irregular pulse, suggesting AF. Some participants agreed to use the sensor but refused to provide their contact details, or consent to pulse assessment. In addition, some data were missing, resulting in 203 participants being included in the final analyses. Fifty-nine participants (mean age 73.6 years, 43% female) were confirmed or suspected of having AF; 20 were known to have AF and 39 were previously undiagnosed. There was no evidence of AF in 115 participants and the remaining 46 recordings were non-diagnostic, mainly due to artefact. Men and older participants were significantly more likely to have newly diagnosed AF. Due to the number of non-diagnostic ECGs (n = 46), we completed three levels of analyses, excluding all non-diagnostic ECGs, assuming all non-diagnostic ECGs were masking AF, and assuming all non-diagnostic ECGs were not AF. Based on the results of the three analyses, the sensor's sensitivity (95% CI) ranged from 0.70 to 0.93; specificity from 0.15 to 0.97; positive predictive values (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) ranged from 0.24 to 0.56 and 0.55 to 1.00, respectively. These values should be interpreted with caution, as the ideal reference standard on 1934 participants was imperfect. CONCLUSION The study demonstrates that the public will engage with AF screening undertaken as part of their daily routines using hand-held devices. Sensors can play a key role in identifying asymptomatic patients in this way, but the technology must be further developed to reduce the quantity of non-diagnostic ECGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian D Jones
- School of Nursing and Advanced Practice, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK; Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Deirdre A Lane
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK; Danish Center for Clinical Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Robyn R Lotto
- School of Nursing and Advanced Practice, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK; Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - David Oxborough
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK; School of Sport and Exercise Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Lis Neubeck
- School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Peter E Penson
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK; School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Emma Johnston Smith
- School of Nursing and Advanced Practice, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Aimeris Santos
- School of Nursing and Advanced Practice, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK; Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Emily E McGinn
- School of Nursing and Advanced Practice, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK; Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Aderonke Ajiboye
- School of Nursing and Advanced Practice, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK; Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Nicola Town
- School of Nursing and Advanced Practice, Faculty of Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK; Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Gabriela Czanner
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK; School of Computer Science and Mathematics, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK; Faculty of Informatics and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Andy Shaw
- School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Hala El-Masri
- School of Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK; Danish Center for Clinical Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Feddersen S, Philippsen TJ, Hansen MS, Christensen LS, Nybo M, Brandes A. No Detectable Differences in microRNA Plasma Levels between Diabetic Hypertensive Patients with and without Incident Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation. J Clin Med 2024; 13:2554. [PMID: 38731083 PMCID: PMC11084405 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13092554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Long-term rhythm monitoring (LTRM) can detect undiagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients at risk of AF and stroke. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs), which have been shown to play a role in atrial electrical and structural remodelling, could help to select patients who would benefit most from LTRM. The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension and screen-detected subclinical AF (SCAF) using an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) have significantly different plasma baseline levels of five selected miRNAs playing a role in the modulation of atrial electrical and structural remodelling (miR-21-5p, miR-29b-3p, miR-150-5p, miR-328-3p, and miR-432-5p) compared to those without SCAF. Methods: This study was performed at the outpatient clinic of a secondary academic teaching hospital between December 2013 and November 2015. Eligible patients were ≥65 years of age with DM and hypertension but without known heart diseases. All patients received an ICM. On the day of ICM implantation, blood samples for the measurement of plasma levels of the five miRNAs were drawn. In this post hoc analysis, we investigated their expression by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. MiRNA plasma levels in patients with and without newly detected SCAF were compared. Results: We included 82 consecutive patients (median age of 71.3 years (IQR 67.4-75.1)), who were followed for a median of 588 days (IQR: 453-712 days). Seventeen patients (20.7%) had ICM-detected SCAF. Plasma levels of miR-328-3p, miR-29b-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-432-5p, and miR-150-5p were slightly but not significantly different in patients with incident SCAF compared with patients without. Conclusions: In patients with hypertension and DM, newly detected SCAF was not significantly associated with changes in expression levels of miR-21-5p, miR-29b-3p, miR-150-5p, miR-328-3p, and miR-432-5p.
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Affiliation(s)
- Søren Feddersen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Odense University Hospital, J.B. Winsløws Vej 4, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (S.F.); (M.N.)
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Tine J. Philippsen
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital of Southern Jutland, Kresten Philipsens Vej 15, 6200 Aabenraa, Denmark; (T.J.P.); (M.S.H.); (L.S.C.)
| | - Michael S. Hansen
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital of Southern Jutland, Kresten Philipsens Vej 15, 6200 Aabenraa, Denmark; (T.J.P.); (M.S.H.); (L.S.C.)
| | - Lene S. Christensen
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital of Southern Jutland, Kresten Philipsens Vej 15, 6200 Aabenraa, Denmark; (T.J.P.); (M.S.H.); (L.S.C.)
| | - Mads Nybo
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Odense University Hospital, J.B. Winsløws Vej 4, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (S.F.); (M.N.)
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Axel Brandes
- Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital—University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Finsensgade 35, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark—Esbjerg, Finsensgade 35, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
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Savickas V, Stewart AJ, Short VJ, Mathie A, Bhamra SK, Veale EL, Corlett SA. Screening for atrial fibrillation in care homes using pulse palpation and the AliveCor Kardia Mobile® device: a comparative cross-sectional pilot study. Int J Clin Pharm 2024; 46:529-535. [PMID: 38151689 PMCID: PMC10960776 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-023-01672-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of stroke in older people. Exacerbated by age and co-morbidities, residents of care homes are more likely to develop AF and less likely to receive oral anticoagulants. AIM To determine the prevalence of AF using the design and methodology of the Pharmacists Detecting Atrial Fibrillation (PDAF) study in a care home setting. METHOD A cross-sectional AF screening pilot study within four UK care homes, three residential and one residential/nursing. Screening followed the original PDAF protocol: a manual pulse check, followed by a single-Lead ECG (SLECG, AliveCor Kardia Mobile (KMD)) delivered by a pharmacist. All recorded SLECG were reviewed by a cardiologist and any residents requiring follow-up investigations were referred to their general practitioner. RESULTS Fifty-three of 112 care home residents participated. From 52 SLECGs recorded, the cardiologist interpreted 13.5% (7/52) as having possible AF of which 9.6% (5/52) were previously unknown. One resident with previously unknown AF received anticoagulation. CONCLUSION This study has shown a need for AF screening in care homes and that elements of the PDAF screening protocol are transferable in this setting. Early diagnosis and treatment of AF are essential to reduce the risk of stroke in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Savickas
- Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent and University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, UK
| | - A J Stewart
- Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, UK
| | | | - A Mathie
- Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent and University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, UK
- School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Suffolk, Ipswich, UK
| | - S K Bhamra
- Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent and University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, UK
| | - E L Veale
- Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent and University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, UK.
| | - S A Corlett
- Medway School of Pharmacy, University of Kent and University of Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, UK
- Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, UK
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Harbison J, McCormack J, Brych O, Collins R, O'Connell N, Randles M, Kennedy C, Kelly PJ, Cassidy T. Changes in anticoagulation practice in subjects admitted with stroke associated with atrial fibrillation, following introduction of direct oral anticoagulants over 2013-2021. Int J Stroke 2024; 19:342-347. [PMID: 37771031 DOI: 10.1177/17474930231206680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The adoption of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has changed practice in prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF). We used Irish data national data on stroke and anticoagulation therapy over 9 years to investigate changes in anticoagulation practice and potential consequences on stroke prevalence and thrombolysis. METHODS AF, anticoagulation, thrombolysis, and stroke data from the Irish National Audit of Stroke (INAS) 2013-2021 were reviewed. The proportion of patients with ischemic stroke (IS) and intracerebral hemorrhage (IH) with known AF admitted on anticoagulation was determined. Effects on age distribution in the population and thrombolysis practice were assessed. RESULTS AF data were available on 34,630 of 35,241 individuals (98.3%) included in INAS; median age was 74 years and 56% were male. AF was found in 10,016 (28.9%, 9059 IS, 957 IH). 6313 had known AF prior to stroke (63.1%). The proportion all total IS due to AF decreased by 15.3% (31.3%-26.5%, chi-square = 24.6, p < 0.0001). The proportion of IH did not change significantly (21.6%-20.2%, chi-square = 1.8, p = 0.18). Over the 9 years, 3875 (38.6%) of the subjects with AF were recorded as receiving anticoagulants at admission. In 2013, 4.4% of AF-associated strokes were admitted on a DOAC and 21.4% on warfarin; by 2021, 44.1% were receiving a DOAC and 6.2% warfarin. There was a strong inverse correlation between the proportion of anticoagulated stroke patients and the total proportion of AF-associated strokes over time (r = -0.82, p = 0.006). In contrast, no correlation was found between increasing DOAC usage and IH (r = 0.14, p = 0.71). Increased anticoagulation usage correlated with a reduction in patients ⩾ 80 years (r = -0.83, p = 0.006) and also correlated with a relative reduction of 30.1% in subjects thrombolysed <4 h from onset (r = -0.89, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION DOACs have led to increased use of anticoagulation, but warfarin use fell by two-thirds. There has been a reduction in the proportion of AF-associated IS without a noticeable increase in IH. Increased anticoagulation correlated with reduced numbers of strokes in those >80 years and in the proportion of patients thrombolysed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Harbison
- Irish National Audit of Stroke, National Office of Clinical Audit, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Joan McCormack
- Irish National Audit of Stroke, National Office of Clinical Audit, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Olga Brych
- Irish National Audit of Stroke, National Office of Clinical Audit, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ronan Collins
- Irish National Audit of Stroke, National Office of Clinical Audit, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Niamh O'Connell
- National Coagulation Centre, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mary Randles
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Cormac Kennedy
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter J Kelly
- Department of Neurology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Institute of Neurology, The Mater Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tim Cassidy
- Irish National Audit of Stroke, National Office of Clinical Audit, Dublin, Ireland
- Acute Stroke Service, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Sandiford P, Poppe KK, Grey C, Doughty R, Chambers E, Kim KJ, Hill A, Bartholomew K. The Prevalence and Management of Atrial Fibrillation in New Zealand Māori Detected through an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Program. Heart Lung Circ 2024; 33:304-309. [PMID: 38326133 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlc.2023.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) screening was incorporated into an abdominal aortic aneurysm screening (AAA) program for New Zealand (NZ) Māori. METHODS AF screening was performed as an adjunct to AAA screening of Māori men aged 60-74 years and women aged 65-74 years registered with primary health care practices in Auckland, NZ. Pre-existing AF was determined through coded diagnoses or medications in the participant's primary care record. Subsequent audit of the record assessed accuracy of pre-screening coding, medication use and clinical follow-up. RESULTS Among 1,933 people successfully screened, the prevalence of AF was 144 (7.4%), of which 46 (2.4% of the cohort) were patients without AF coded in the medical record. More than half of these were revealed to be known AF but that was not coded. Thus, the true prevalence of newly detected AF was 1.1% (n=21). An additional 48 (2.5%) of the cohort had been coded as AF but were not in AF at the time of screening. Among the 19 at-risk screen-detected people with AF, 10 started appropriate anticoagulation therapy within 6 months. Of the nine patients who did not commence anticoagulation therapy, five had a subsequent adverse clinical outcome in the follow-up period, including one with ischaemic stroke; two had contraindications to anticoagulants. Among those with previously diagnosed AF, the proportion receiving anticoagulation therapy rose from 57% pre-screening to 83% at 6 months post-screening (p<0.0001); among newly diagnosed AF the proportion rose from 0% to 53% (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS AF screening is a feasible low-cost adjunct to AAA screening with potential to reduce ethnic inequities in stroke incidence. However, effective measures are needed to ensure that high-risk newly diagnosed AF is managed according to best practice guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Sandiford
- Planning Funding and Outcomes, Auckland and Waitematā District Health Boards, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Katrina K Poppe
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Corina Grey
- Planning Funding and Outcomes, Auckland and Waitematā District Health Boards, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Robert Doughty
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Erin Chambers
- Planning Funding and Outcomes, Auckland and Waitematā District Health Boards, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kyu J Kim
- Planning Funding and Outcomes, Auckland and Waitematā District Health Boards, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrew Hill
- Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Karen Bartholomew
- Planning Funding and Outcomes, Auckland and Waitematā District Health Boards, Auckland, New Zealand
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Jortveit J, Boskovic M, Sandberg EL, Vegsundvåg J, Halvorsen S. High Diagnostic Accuracy of Long-Term Electrocardiogram Interpretation by General Practitioners. Int J Telemed Appl 2024; 2024:6624344. [PMID: 38425473 PMCID: PMC10904176 DOI: 10.1155/2024/6624344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Aims Traditional long-term ECG monitoring systems have primarily been used by cardiologist. New remote and wearable easy-to-use devices have led to increased use of ECG recordings also outside cardiology clinics. The aims of this study were to assess the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of interpretation of the one-lead ECG recordings from a patch ECG device (ECG247 Smart Heart Sensor system) by general practitioners (GP). Methods Norwegian GPs were invited to digitally assess 10 long-term ECG recordings with different arrhythmias performed by the ECG247 Smart Heart Sensor system. For all ECG examinations, the presence/absence of different arrhythmias was registered. Results A total of 40 GPs accepted the invitation and assessed all the 10 long-term ECG recordings. All the tests were assessed as interpretable by all the GPs. Arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation/flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, and ventricular tachycardia) were correctly identified in most cases, with sensitivity of 98% (95% CI 95-99%), specificity of 75% (95% CI 68-82%), and diagnostic accuracy of 89% (85-92%). Incorrect automatic system algorithm interpretations were rarely corrected by the GPs. Conclusion GPs interpreted one-lead recordings by the ECG247 Smart Heart Sensor system with high diagnostic accuracy for common arrhythmias. However, in cases with rare arrhythmias, we recommend consulting a cardiologist to confirm the diagnosis before treatment is initiated. This trial is registered with NCT04700865.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarle Jortveit
- Department of Cardiology, Sorlandet Hospital, Arendal, Norway
| | | | | | - Jonas Vegsundvåg
- Department of Primary Health Care Services, Aalesund Municipality, Aalesund, Norway
| | - Sigrun Halvorsen
- Department of Cardiology, Oslo University Hospital Ullevaal, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Martin SS, Aday AW, Almarzooq ZI, Anderson CAM, Arora P, Avery CL, Baker-Smith CM, Barone Gibbs B, Beaton AZ, Boehme AK, Commodore-Mensah Y, Currie ME, Elkind MSV, Evenson KR, Generoso G, Heard DG, Hiremath S, Johansen MC, Kalani R, Kazi DS, Ko D, Liu J, Magnani JW, Michos ED, Mussolino ME, Navaneethan SD, Parikh NI, Perman SM, Poudel R, Rezk-Hanna M, Roth GA, Shah NS, St-Onge MP, Thacker EL, Tsao CW, Urbut SM, Van Spall HGC, Voeks JH, Wang NY, Wong ND, Wong SS, Yaffe K, Palaniappan LP. 2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2024; 149:e347-e913. [PMID: 38264914 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000001209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The American Heart Association (AHA), in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and obesity) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose control, and metabolic syndrome) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The AHA Heart Disease and Stroke Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, brain health, complications of pregnancy, kidney disease, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, sudden cardiac arrest, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, valvular disease, venous thromboembolism, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs). METHODS The AHA, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States and globally to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2024 AHA Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2023 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and AHA staff members. The AHA strives to further understand and help heal health problems inflicted by structural racism, a public health crisis that can significantly damage physical and mental health and perpetuate disparities in access to health care, education, income, housing, and several other factors vital to healthy lives. This year's edition includes additional global data, as well as data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, with an enhanced focus on health equity across several key domains. RESULTS Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics. CONCLUSIONS The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.
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Artac I, Karakayali M, Omar T, Ilis D, Arslan A, Sahin MH, Karabag Y, Rencuzogullari I. The impact of the right heart cavities echocardiographic features on atrial-high rate episodes. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 2024; 40:321-330. [PMID: 37985648 DOI: 10.1007/s10554-023-02990-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Atrial high-rate episodes (AHRE) defined as atrial tachy-arrhythmias, detected through continuous monitoring with a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED). AHRE's have been associated with increased risks of developing clinically manifested atrial fibrillation, thromboembolism, cardiovascular events, and mortality. Several variables have been researched and identified to predict AHRE existence. The present study evaluated the association between right-heart structural and functional echocardiographic parameters and AHRE in patients with CIEDs and impaired LVEF. This prospective design study included 194 patients with CIED's. The study population was divided into two groups according to presence of AHRE and analyzed the echocardiographic variables which may able to be a predictor of AHRE. Patients was divided into two groups: patients with AHRE (+) and without AHRE (-). The distribution of patients' characteristics according to presence of AHRE was analyzed. The multivariate analysis revealed Age, LAVI, E/Em tricuspid (HR: 1.106, 1.015-1.205% 95 CI; p = 0.022) and RAVI (HR: 1.035, 1.003-1.069 95% CI; p = 0.033) as independent predictors of AHREs. ROC curve analysis indicated that an E/Em tricuspid (AUC: 0.611, 95% CI 0.538-0.680 p: 0.009) and RAVI (AUC = AUC: 0.707, 95% CI 0.637-0.770 p < 0.001) predicted AHREs with a cut-off value of 6.28 and a sensitivity of 53.2% and specificity of 66.7% and a cut-off value of 29.5 mL/m2 with a sensitivity of 72.7% and a specificity of 65.9%, respectively. The main finding of this study was "RAVI" and "E/Emtricuspid ratio" is associated with AHRE. Additionally, "RAVI" and "E/Emtricuspid ratio" is an independent predictor of AHRE existence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inanc Artac
- Department of Cardiology KARS, Faculty of Medicine, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey.
| | - Muammer Karakayali
- Department of Cardiology KARS, Faculty of Medicine, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey
| | - Timor Omar
- Department of Cardiology KARS, Faculty of Medicine, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey
| | - Dogan Ilis
- Department of Cardiology KARS, Faculty of Medicine, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey
| | - Ayca Arslan
- Department of Cardiology KARS, Faculty of Medicine, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Hakan Sahin
- Department of Cardiology KARS, Faculty of Medicine, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey
| | - Yavuz Karabag
- Department of Cardiology KARS, Faculty of Medicine, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey
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10
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Dupulthys S, Dujardin K, Anné W, Pollet P, Vanhaverbeke M, McAuliffe D, Lammertyn PJ, Berteloot L, Mertens N, De Jaeger P. Single-lead electrocardiogram Artificial Intelligence model with risk factors detects atrial fibrillation during sinus rhythm. Europace 2024; 26:euad354. [PMID: 38079535 PMCID: PMC10872711 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Guidelines recommend opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation (AF), using a 30 s single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) recorded by a wearable device. Since many patients have paroxysmal AF, identification of patients at high risk presenting with sinus rhythm (SR) may increase the yield of subsequent long-term cardiac monitoring. The aim is to evaluate an AI-algorithm trained on 10 s single-lead ECG with or without risk factors to predict AF. METHODS AND RESULTS This retrospective study used 13 479 ECGs from AF patients in SR around the time of diagnosis and 53 916 age- and sex-matched control ECGs, augmented with 17 risk factors extracted from electronic health records. AI models were trained and compared using 1- or 12-lead ECGs, with or without risk factors. Model bias was evaluated by age- and sex-stratification of results. Random forest models identified the most relevant risk factors. The single-lead model achieved an area under the curve of 0.74, which increased to 0.76 by adding six risk factors (95% confidence interval: 0.74-0.79). This model matched the performance of a 12-lead model. Results are stable for both sexes, over ages ranging from 40 to 90 years. Out of 17 clinical variables, 6 were sufficient for optimal accuracy of the model: hypertension, heart failure, valvular disease, history of myocardial infarction, age, and sex. CONCLUSION An AI model using a single-lead SR ECG and six risk factors can identify patients with concurrent AF with similar accuracy as a 12-lead ECG-AI model. An age- and sex-matched data set leads to an unbiased model with consistent predictions across age groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stijn Dupulthys
- RADar Learning and Innovation Centre, AZ Delta, Deltalaan 1, 8800 Roeselare, Belgium
| | - Karl Dujardin
- Department of Cardiology, AZ Delta, Roeselare, Belgium
| | - Wim Anné
- Department of Cardiology, AZ Delta, Roeselare, Belgium
| | - Peter Pollet
- Department of Cardiology, AZ Delta, Roeselare, Belgium
| | | | | | - Pieter-Jan Lammertyn
- RADar Learning and Innovation Centre, AZ Delta, Deltalaan 1, 8800 Roeselare, Belgium
| | - Louise Berteloot
- RADar Learning and Innovation Centre, AZ Delta, Roeselare, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Mertens
- RADar Learning and Innovation Centre, AZ Delta, Deltalaan 1, 8800 Roeselare, Belgium
| | - Peter De Jaeger
- RADar Learning and Innovation Centre, AZ Delta, Deltalaan 1, 8800 Roeselare, Belgium
- Department of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
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11
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Ma Q, Zhu J, Zheng P, Zhang J, Xia X, Zhao Y, Cheng Q, Zhang N. Global burden of atrial fibrillation/flutter: Trends from 1990 to 2019 and projections until 2044. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24052. [PMID: 38293361 PMCID: PMC10825430 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Aims Atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL) is a critical public health issue worldwide, and its epidemiological patterns have changed over the decades. This work aimed to assess the global trends of AF/AFL and attributable risks from 1990 to 2019. Methods and results The present study utilized data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to examine the temporal trends, attributable risks, and projections of AF/AFL. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and age-standardized rate (ASR) were employed for this purpose. The findings revealed that in 2019, AF/AFL accounted for 4.72 million incident cases, 59.70 million prevalent cases, 0.32 million deaths, and 8.39 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Furthermore, the results indicated that males under 70 years of age had a higher incidence, prevalence, and DALYs than females, while the rates were similar for both genders between 70 and 74 years. However, this pattern was reversed in individuals over the age of 75, with females exhibiting a higher total incidence, prevalence, and DALYs than males. The age-standardized rates (ASRs) of prevalence, incidence, mortality, and DALYs increased with an increase in the socio-demographic index (SDI). The three primary contributors to AF/AFL were high systolic blood pressure, high body-mass index, and smoking. Majority of risk factors exhibited a unimodal distribution, with a peak between the ages of 50 and 70. Conclusions The disease burden of AF/AFL is still severe worldwide and getting worse. To encourage prevention and treatment, systematic regional surveillance of AF/AFL should be put in place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qunchao Ma
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Rd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310009, PR China
| | - Jinyun Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Rd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310009, PR China
| | - Pingping Zheng
- Department of Emergency, The Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, College of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310006, PR China
| | - Jiaru Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, 350000, PR China
| | - Xiangyang Xia
- Department of Cardiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University College of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Rd, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310009, PR China
| | - Yun Zhao
- Department of Ultrasound, Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Taian, Shandong Province, 271000, PR China
| | - Qingqiang Cheng
- Department of Cardiology, the Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, College of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310006, PR China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, the Affiliated Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, College of Medicine, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310006, PR China
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12
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Leung ANW, Bhat A. Use of Anticoagulation for Thromboembolic Prophylaxis in Patients With Atrial High-Rate Episodes on Device Monitoring: A Narrative Review. Am J Cardiol 2024; 211:183-190. [PMID: 37944778 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2023.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Ischemic stroke and systemic thromboembolism are primary drivers of significant morbidity and mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Although stroke is commonly the first index presentation of clinically silent AF, the growing use of continuous rhythm monitoring through cardiac implanted electronic devices has enabled earlier and increased detection of AF in patients who are otherwise asymptomatic before stroke development. Atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) are atrial tachyarrhythmias frequently detected by cardiac implanted electronic devices; these events represent subclinical AF and other atrial tachyarrhythmias that can lead to stroke development and AF. Although the presence of AHREs increases the risk of developing both clinical AF and stroke compared with absence of AHREs, there has been a significant clinical variability in anticoagulation initiation in these subjects. In this narrative review, we explore the current evidence and published research surrounding the association between AHREs and stroke development in addition to the utility of anticoagulation in this population for thromboembolic prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Ngar Wing Leung
- Department of Cardiology, Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Aditya Bhat
- Department of Cardiology, Blacktown Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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13
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Etminani F, Sandgren E, Holm J, Magnusson P, Modica A, Moberg K, Davidsson T, Stalpe L, Kiflemariam S, Younan N, Parikh P, Wadhwa M, Sundin A, Engdahl J. Randomised, siteless study to compare systematic atrial fibrillation screening using enrichment by a risk prediction model with standard care in a Swedish population aged ≥ 65 years: CONSIDERING-AF study design. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e080639. [PMID: 38216189 PMCID: PMC10806481 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and confers an increased risk of mortality, stroke, heart failure and cognitive decline. There is growing interest in AF screening; however, the most suitable population and device for AF detection remains to be elucidated. Here, we present the design of the CONSIDERING-AF (deteCtiON and Stroke preventIon by moDEl scRreenING for Atrial Fibrillation) study. METHODS AND ANALYSIS CONSIDERING-AF is a randomised, controlled, siteless, non-blinded diagnostic superiority trial with four parallel groups and a primary endpoint of identifying AF during a 6-month study period set in Region Halland, Sweden. In each group, 740 individuals aged≥65 years will be included. The primary objective is to compare the intervention of AF screening enrichment using a risk prediction model (RPM), followed by 14 days of a continuous ECG patch, with no intervention (standard care). Primary outcome is defined as the incident AF recorded in the Region Halland Information Database after 6 months as compared with standard care. Secondary endpoints include the difference in incident AF between groups enriched or not by the RPM, with and without an invitation to 14 days of continuous ECG recording, and the proportions of oral anticoagulation treatment in the four groups. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study has ethical approval from the Swedish Ethical Review Authority. Results will be published in peer-reviewed international journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05838781.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Etminani
- Center for Applied Intelligent Systems Research in Health (CAISR Health), Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden
- Department of Research and Development (FoU), Region Halland, Halmstad, Sweden
| | - Emma Sandgren
- Department of Medicine, Hallands sjukhus Varberg, Varberg, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ninia Younan
- Department of Medicine, Hallands sjukhus Varberg, Varberg, Sweden
| | - Purvee Parikh
- Medical Affairs, Philips, Ambulatory Monitoring and Diagnostics, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Manish Wadhwa
- Medical Affairs, Philips, Ambulatory Monitoring and Diagnostics, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - Johan Engdahl
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Danderyd University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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14
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Healey JS, Lopes RD, Granger CB, Alings M, Rivard L, McIntyre WF, Atar D, Birnie DH, Boriani G, Camm AJ, Conen D, Erath JW, Gold MR, Hohnloser SH, Ip J, Kautzner J, Kutyifa V, Linde C, Mabo P, Mairesse G, Benezet Mazuecos J, Cosedis Nielsen J, Philippon F, Proietti M, Sticherling C, Wong JA, Wright DJ, Zarraga IG, Coutts SB, Kaplan A, Pombo M, Ayala-Paredes F, Xu L, Simek K, Nevills S, Mian R, Connolly SJ. Apixaban for Stroke Prevention in Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation. N Engl J Med 2024; 390:107-117. [PMID: 37952132 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa2310234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Subclinical atrial fibrillation is short-lasting and asymptomatic and can usually be detected only by long-term continuous monitoring with pacemakers or defibrillators. Subclinical atrial fibrillation is associated with an increased risk of stroke by a factor of 2.5; however, treatment with oral anticoagulation is of uncertain benefit. METHODS We conducted a trial involving patients with subclinical atrial fibrillation lasting 6 minutes to 24 hours. Patients were randomly assigned in a double-blind, double-dummy design to receive apixaban at a dose of 5 mg twice daily (2.5 mg twice daily when indicated) or aspirin at a dose of 81 mg daily. The trial medication was discontinued and anticoagulation started if subclinical atrial fibrillation lasting more than 24 hours or clinical atrial fibrillation developed. The primary efficacy outcome, stroke or systemic embolism, was assessed in the intention-to-treat population (all the patients who had undergone randomization); the primary safety outcome, major bleeding, was assessed in the on-treatment population (all the patients who had undergone randomization and received at least one dose of the assigned trial drug, with follow-up censored 5 days after permanent discontinuation of trial medication for any reason). RESULTS We included 4012 patients with a mean (±SD) age of 76.8±7.6 years and a mean CHA2DS2-VASc score of 3.9±1.1 (scores range from 0 to 9, with higher scores indicating a higher risk of stroke); 36.1% of the patients were women. After a mean follow-up of 3.5±1.8 years, stroke or systemic embolism occurred in 55 patients in the apixaban group (0.78% per patient-year) and in 86 patients in the aspirin group (1.24% per patient-year) (hazard ratio, 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45 to 0.88; P = 0.007). In the on-treatment population, the rate of major bleeding was 1.71% per patient-year in the apixaban group and 0.94% per patient-year in the aspirin group (hazard ratio, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.26 to 2.57; P = 0.001). Fatal bleeding occurred in 5 patients in the apixaban group and 8 patients in the aspirin group. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with subclinical atrial fibrillation, apixaban resulted in a lower risk of stroke or systemic embolism than aspirin but a higher risk of major bleeding. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; ARTESIA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01938248.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeff S Healey
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Renato D Lopes
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Christopher B Granger
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Marco Alings
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Lena Rivard
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - William F McIntyre
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Dan Atar
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - David H Birnie
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Giuseppe Boriani
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - A John Camm
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - David Conen
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Julia W Erath
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Michael R Gold
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Stefan H Hohnloser
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - John Ip
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Josef Kautzner
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Valentina Kutyifa
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Cecilia Linde
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Philippe Mabo
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Georges Mairesse
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Juan Benezet Mazuecos
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Jens Cosedis Nielsen
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Francois Philippon
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Marco Proietti
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Christian Sticherling
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Jorge A Wong
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - David J Wright
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Ignatius G Zarraga
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Shelagh B Coutts
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Andrew Kaplan
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Marta Pombo
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Felix Ayala-Paredes
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Lizhen Xu
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Kim Simek
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Sandra Nevills
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Rajibul Mian
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
| | - Stuart J Connolly
- From the Population Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON (J.S.H., W.F.M., D.C., J.A.W., L.X., K.S., S.N., R.M., S.J.C.), the Montreal Heart Institute, University of Montreal, Montreal (L.R.), the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa (D.H.B.), Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Laval University, Quebec, QC (F.P.), the Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Radiology, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB (S.B.C.), and the Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC (F.A.-P.) - all in Canada; the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC (R.D.L., C.B.G.); Amphia Ziekenhuis, Breda, the Netherlands (M.A.); Oslo University Hospital and the University of Oslo, Oslo (D.A.); the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena (G.B.), and the Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, and the Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan (M. Proietti) - all in Italy; St. George's, University of London, London (A.J.C.), and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (D.J.W.) - both in the United Kingdom; J.W. Goethe University, University Hospital Department of Cardiology, Frankfurt, Germany (J.W.E., S.H.H.); the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston (M.R.G.); Michigan State University, Lansing (J.I.); the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (J.K.); the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (V.K.); Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (V.K.); Karolinska Institutet and the Heart, Vascular, and Neurology Theme, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm (C.L.); the University of Rennes, Rennes, France (P.M.); Cliniques du Sud-Luxembourg, Arlon, Belgium (G.M.); Hospital Universitario La Luz, Madrid (J.B.M.), and Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella (M. Pombo) - both in Spain; Aarhus University Hospital and Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark (J.C.N.); University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland (C.S.); the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR (I.G.Z.); and Abrazo Arrowhead Hospital, Glendale, AZ (A.K.)
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Boriani G, Bonini N, Vitolo M, Mei DA, Imberti JF, Gerra L, Romiti GF, Corica B, Proietti M, Diemberger I, Dan GA, Potpara T, Lip GY. Asymptomatic vs. symptomatic atrial fibrillation: Clinical outcomes in heart failure patients. Eur J Intern Med 2024; 119:53-63. [PMID: 37758565 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2023.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The outcome implications of asymptomatic vs. symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) in specific groups of patients according to clinical heart failure (HF) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) need to be clarified. METHODS In a prospective observational study, patients were categorized according to overt HF with LVEF≤40 %, or with LVEF>40 %, or without overt HF with LVEF40 %≤ or > 40 %, as well as according to the presence of asymptomatic or symptomatic AF. RESULTS A total of 8096 patients, divided into 8 groups according to HF and LVEF, were included with similar proportions of asymptomatic AF (ranging from 43 to 48 %). After a median follow-up of 730 [699 -748] days, the composite outcome (all-cause death and MACE) was significantly worse for patients with asymptomatic AF associated with HF and reduced LVEF vs. symptomatic AF patients of the same group (p = 0.004). On adjusted Cox regression analysis, asymptomatic AF patients with HF and reduced LVEF were independently associated with a higher risk for the composite outcome (aHR 1.32, 95 % CI 1.04-1.69) and all-cause death (aHR 1.33, 95 % CI 1.02-1.73) compared to symptomatic AF patients with HF and reduced LVEF. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that HF-LVEF≤40 % asymptomatic patients had the highest cumulative incidence of all-cause death and MACE (p < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSIONS In a large European cohort of AF patients, the risk of the composite outcome at 2 years was not different between asymptomatic and symptomatic AF in the whole cohort but adverse implications for poor outcomes were found for asymptomatic AF in HF with LVEF≤40 %.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Boriani
- Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Via del Pozzo, 71, Modena 41124, Italy.
| | - Niccolo' Bonini
- Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Via del Pozzo, 71, Modena 41124, Italy; Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Vitolo
- Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Via del Pozzo, 71, Modena 41124, Italy; Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Davide A Mei
- Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Via del Pozzo, 71, Modena 41124, Italy; Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jacopo F Imberti
- Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Via del Pozzo, 71, Modena 41124, Italy; Clinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy; Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Luigi Gerra
- Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Via del Pozzo, 71, Modena 41124, Italy
| | - Giulio Francesco Romiti
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza - University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Bernadette Corica
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Translational and Precision Medicine, Sapienza - University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Proietti
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Milan, Italy
| | - Igor Diemberger
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Institute of Cardiology, University of Bologna, Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi, Bologna, Italy
| | - Gheorghe-Andrei Dan
- 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Tatjana Potpara
- School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia; Cardiology Clinic, Clinical Center of Serbia, Intensive Arrhythmia Care, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia
| | - Gregory Yh Lip
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
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Chousou PA, Chattopadhyay R, Ring L, Khadjooi K, Warburton EA, Mukherjee T, Bhalraam U, Tsampasian V, Potter J, Perperoglou A, Pugh PJ, Vassiliou VS. Atrial fibrillation in embolic stroke of undetermined source: role of advanced imaging of left atrial function. Eur J Prev Cardiol 2023; 30:1965-1974. [PMID: 37431922 DOI: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwad228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Atrial fibrillation (AF) is detected in over 30% of patients following an embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) when monitored with an implantable loop recorder (ILR). Identifying AF in ESUS survivors has significant therapeutic implications, and AF risk is essential to guide screening with long-term monitoring. The present study aimed to establish the role of left atrial (LA) function in subsequent AF identification and develop a risk model for AF in ESUS. METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted a single-centre retrospective case-control study including all patients with ESUS referred to our institution for ILR implantation from December 2009 to September 2019. We recorded clinical variables at baseline and analysed transthoracic echocardiograms in sinus rhythm. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed to inform variables associated with AF. Lasso regression analysis was used to develop a risk prediction model for AF. The risk model was internally validated using bootstrapping. Three hundred and twenty-three patients with ESUS underwent ILR implantation. In the ESUS population, 293 had a stroke, whereas 30 had suffered a transient ischaemic attack as adjudicated by a senior stroke physician. Atrial fibrillation of any duration was detected in 47.1%. The mean follow-up was 710 days. Following lasso regression with backwards elimination, we combined increasing lateral PA (the time interval from the beginning of the P wave on the surface electrocardiogram to the beginning of the A' wave on pulsed wave tissue Doppler of the lateral mitral annulus) [odds ratio (OR) 1.011], increasing Age (OR 1.035), higher Diastolic blood pressure (OR 1.027), and abnormal LA reservoir Strain (OR 0.973) into a new PADS score. The probability of identifying AF can be estimated using the formula. Model discrimination was good [area under the curve (AUC) 0.72]. The PADS score was internally validated using bootstrapping with 1000 samples of 150 patients showing consistent results with an AUC of 0.73. CONCLUSION The novel PADS score can identify the risk of AF on prolonged monitoring with ILR following ESUS and should be considered a dedicated risk stratification tool for decision-making regarding the screening strategy for AF in stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiota Anna Chousou
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
- Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Rahul Chattopadhyay
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
- Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Liam Ring
- West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Hardwick Lane, Bury Saint Edmunds IP33 2QZ, UK
| | - Kayvan Khadjooi
- Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Elizabeth A Warburton
- Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EL, UK
| | - Trisha Mukherjee
- Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - U Bhalraam
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich NR4 7UY, UK
| | | | - John Potter
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich NR4 7UY, UK
| | - Aris Perperoglou
- School of Mathematics, Statistics and Astrophysics, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, UK
| | - Peter John Pugh
- Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Vassilios S Vassiliou
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Norwich NR4 7UY, UK
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Orchard JJ, Giskes K, Orchard JW, La Gerche A, Neubeck L, Hespe C, Lowres N, Freedman B. In a large primary care data set, the CHA2DS2-VASc score leads to an almost universal recommendation for anticoagulation treatment in those aged ≥65 years with atrial fibrillation. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs 2023; 22:769-772. [PMID: 36594969 DOI: 10.1093/eurjcn/zvad002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J Orchard
- Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology, Centenary Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006Australia
| | - Katrina Giskes
- Heart Research Institute, Charles Perkins Centre (D17), The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Australia, 160 Oxford St Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010Australia
| | - John W Orchard
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006Australia
| | - Andre La Gerche
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004Australia
| | - Lis Neubeck
- School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Sighthill Court, Sighthill, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, UK
| | - Charlotte Hespe
- School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame Australia, 160 Oxford St Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010Australia
| | - Nicole Lowres
- Heart Research Institute, Charles Perkins Centre (D17), The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Ben Freedman
- Heart Research Institute, Charles Perkins Centre (D17), The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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Simonson JK, Anderson M, Polacek C, Klump E, Haque SN. Characterizing Real-World Implementation of Consumer Wearables for the Detection of Undiagnosed Atrial Fibrillation in Clinical Practice: Targeted Literature Review. JMIR Cardio 2023; 7:e47292. [PMID: 37921865 PMCID: PMC10656655 DOI: 10.2196/47292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia, is often undiagnosed because of lack of awareness and frequent asymptomatic presentation. As AF is associated with increased risk of stroke, early detection is clinically relevant. Several consumer wearable devices (CWDs) have been cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration for irregular heart rhythm detection suggestive of AF. However, recommendations for the use of CWDs for AF detection in clinical practice, especially with regard to pathways for workflows and clinical decisions, remain lacking. OBJECTIVE We conducted a targeted literature review to identify articles on CWDs characterizing the current state of wearable technology for AF detection, identifying approaches to implementing CWDs into the clinical workflow, and characterizing provider and patient perspectives on CWDs for patients at risk of AF. METHODS PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, UpToDate Clinical Reference, and DynaMed were searched for articles in English published between January 2016 and July 2023. The searches used predefined Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms, keywords, and search strings. Articles of interest were specifically on CWDs; articles on ambulatory monitoring tools, tools available by prescription, or handheld devices were excluded. Search results were reviewed for relevancy and discussed among the authors for inclusion. A qualitative analysis was conducted and themes relevant to our study objectives were identified. RESULTS A total of 31 articles met inclusion criteria: 7 (23%) medical society reports or guidelines, 4 (13%) general reviews, 5 (16%) systematic reviews, 5 (16%) health care provider surveys, 7 (23%) consumer or patient surveys or interviews, and 3 (10%) analytical reports. Despite recognition of CWDs by medical societies, detailed guidelines regarding CWDs for AF detection were limited, as was the availability of clinical tools. A main theme was the lack of pragmatic studies assessing real-world implementation of CWDs for AF detection. Clinicians expressed concerns about data overload; potential for false positives; reimbursement issues; and the need for clinical tools such as care pathways and guidelines, preferably developed or endorsed by professional organizations. Patient-facing challenges included device costs and variability in digital literacy or technology acceptance. CONCLUSIONS This targeted literature review highlights the lack of a comprehensive body of literature guiding real-world implementation of CWDs for AF detection and provides insights for informing additional research and developing appropriate tools and resources for incorporating these devices into clinical practice. The results should also provide an impetus for the active involvement of medical societies and other health care stakeholders in developing appropriate tools and resources for guiding the real-world use of CWDs for AF detection. These resources should target clinicians, patients, and health care systems with the goal of facilitating clinician or patient engagement and using an evidence-based approach for establishing guidelines or frameworks for administrative workflows and patient care pathways.
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Habineza T, Ribeiro AH, Gedon D, Behar JA, Ribeiro ALP, Schön TB. End-to-end risk prediction of atrial fibrillation from the 12-Lead ECG by deep neural networks. J Electrocardiol 2023; 81:193-200. [PMID: 37774529 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2023.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common cardiac arrhythmias that affects millions of people each year worldwide and it is closely linked to increased risk of cardiovas- cular diseases such as stroke and heart failure. Machine learning methods have shown promising results in evaluating the risk of developing atrial fibrillation from the electrocardiogram. We aim to develop and evaluate one such algorithm on a large CODE dataset collected in Brazil. METHODS We used the CODE cohort to develop and test a model for AF risk prediction for individual patients from the raw ECG recordings without the use of additional digital biomarkers. The cohort is a collection of ECG recordings and annotations by the Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais, in Brazil. A convolutional neural network based on a residual network architecture was implemented to produce class probabilities for the classification of AF. The probabilities were used to develop a Cox proportional hazards model and a Kaplan-Meier model to carry out survival analysis. Hence, our model is able to perform risk prediction for the development of AF in patients without the condition. RESULTS The deep neural network model identified patients without indication of AF in the presented ECG but who will develop AF in the future with an AUC score of 0.845. From our survival model, we obtain that patients in the high-risk group (i.e. with the probability of a future AF case being >0.7) are 50% more likely to develop AF within 40 weeks, while patients belonging to the minimal-risk group (i.e. with the probability of a future AF case being less than or equal to 0.1) have >85% chance of remaining AF free up until after seven years. CONCLUSION We developed and validated a model for AF risk prediction. If applied in clinical practice, the model possesses the potential of providing valuable and useful information in decision- making and patient management processes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel Gedon
- Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Joachim A Behar
- Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Israel
| | - Antonio Luiz P Ribeiro
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais-UFMG, Brazil
| | - Thomas B Schön
- Department of Information Technology, Uppsala University, Sweden
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Lebovitz S, Estryk M, Zimmerman DR, Pollak A, Luria D, Amir O, Biton Y. Trends in Atrial Fibrillation Management-Results from a National Multi-Center Urgent Care Network Registry. J Clin Med 2023; 12:6704. [PMID: 37959170 PMCID: PMC10650842 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12216704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common diagnosis in patients presenting to urgent care centers (UCCs), yet there is scant research regarding treatment in these centers. While some of these patients are managed within UCCs, some are referred for further care in an emergency department (ED). OBJECTIVES We aimed to identify the rate of patients referred to an ED and define predictors for this outcome. We analyzed the rates of AF diagnosis and hospital referral over the years. Finally, we described trends in patient anticoagulation (AC) medication use. METHODS This retrospective study included 5873 visits of patients over age 18 visiting the TEREM UCC network with a diagnosis of AF over 11 years. Multivariate analysis was used to identify predictors for ED referral. RESULTS In a multivariate model, predictors of referral to an ED included vascular disease (OR 1.88 (95% CI 1.43-2.45), p < 0.001), evening or night shifts (OR 1.31 (95% CI 1.11-1.55), p < 0.001; OR 1.68 (95% CI 1.32-2.15), p < 0.001; respectively), previously diagnosed AF (OR 0.31 (95% CI 0.26-0.37), p < 0.001), prior treatment with AC (OR 0.56 (95% CI 0.46-0.67), p < 0.001), beta blockers (OR 0.63 (95% CI 0.52-0.76), p < 0.001), and antiarrhythmic medication (OR 0.58 (95% CI 0.48-0.69), p < 0.001). Visits diagnosed with AF increased over the years (p = 0.030), while referrals to an ED decreased over the years (p = 0.050). The rate of novel oral anticoagulant prescriptions increased over the years. CONCLUSIONS The rate of referral to an ED from a UCC over the years is declining but remains high. Referrals may be predicted using simple clinical variables. This knowledge may help to reduce the burden of hospitalizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalom Lebovitz
- Department of Cardiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel (O.A.)
- TEREM—Emergency Medical Centers, Jerusalem 97775, Israel
| | | | | | - Arthur Pollak
- Department of Cardiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel (O.A.)
| | - David Luria
- Department of Cardiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel (O.A.)
| | - Offer Amir
- Department of Cardiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel (O.A.)
| | - Yitschak Biton
- Department of Cardiology, Hadassah Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel (O.A.)
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Marx N, Federici M, Schütt K, Müller-Wieland D, Ajjan RA, Antunes MJ, Christodorescu RM, Crawford C, Di Angelantonio E, Eliasson B, Espinola-Klein C, Fauchier L, Halle M, Herrington WG, Kautzky-Willer A, Lambrinou E, Lesiak M, Lettino M, McGuire DK, Mullens W, Rocca B, Sattar N. 2023 ESC Guidelines for the management of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes. Eur Heart J 2023; 44:4043-4140. [PMID: 37622663 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 98.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
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Chua W, Cardoso VR, Guasch E, Sinner MF, Al-Taie C, Brady P, Casadei B, Crijns HJGM, Dudink EAMP, Hatem SN, Kääb S, Kastner P, Mont L, Nehaj F, Purmah Y, Reyat JS, Schotten U, Sommerfeld LC, Zeemering S, Ziegler A, Gkoutos GV, Kirchhof P, Fabritz L. An angiopoietin 2, FGF23, and BMP10 biomarker signature differentiates atrial fibrillation from other concomitant cardiovascular conditions. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16743. [PMID: 37798357 PMCID: PMC10556075 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42331-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Early detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) enables initiation of anticoagulation and early rhythm control therapy to reduce stroke, cardiovascular death, and heart failure. In a cross-sectional, observational study, we aimed to identify a combination of circulating biomolecules reflecting different biological processes to detect prevalent AF in patients with cardiovascular conditions presenting to hospital. Twelve biomarkers identified by reviewing literature and patents were quantified on a high-precision, high-throughput platform in 1485 consecutive patients with cardiovascular conditions (median age 69 years [Q1, Q3 60, 78]; 60% male). Patients had either known AF (45%) or AF ruled out by 7-day ECG-monitoring. Logistic regression with backward elimination and a neural network approach considering 7 key clinical characteristics and 12 biomarker concentrations were applied to a randomly sampled discovery cohort (n = 933) and validated in the remaining patients (n = 552). In addition to age, sex, and body mass index (BMI), BMP10, ANGPT2, and FGF23 identified patients with prevalent AF (AUC 0.743 [95% CI 0.712, 0.775]). These circulating biomolecules represent distinct pathways associated with atrial cardiomyopathy and AF. Neural networks identified the same variables as the regression-based approach. The validation using regression yielded an AUC of 0.719 (95% CI 0.677, 0.762), corroborated using deep neural networks (AUC 0.784 [95% CI 0.745, 0.822]). Age, sex, BMI and three circulating biomolecules (BMP10, ANGPT2, FGF23) are associated with prevalent AF in unselected patients presenting to hospital. Findings should be externally validated. Results suggest that age and different disease processes approximated by these three biomolecules contribute to AF in patients. Our findings have the potential to improve screening programs for AF after external validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winnie Chua
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Victor R Cardoso
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- MRC Health Data Research UK (HDR), Midlands Site, London, UK
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Eduard Guasch
- Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Moritz F Sinner
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital, LMU, Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site: Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Christoph Al-Taie
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, UKE Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site: Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Paul Brady
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Harry J G M Crijns
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Elton A M P Dudink
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stéphane N Hatem
- IHU-ICAN Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition, Paris, France
| | - Stefan Kääb
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital, LMU, Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site: Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Lluis Mont
- Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Institute of Biomedical Research August Pi Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Frantisek Nehaj
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Yanish Purmah
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jasmeet S Reyat
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Ulrich Schotten
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura C Sommerfeld
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, UKE Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site: Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stef Zeemering
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - André Ziegler
- Roche Diagnostics International AG, Rotkreuz, Switzerland
| | - Georgios V Gkoutos
- MRC Health Data Research UK (HDR), Midlands Site, London, UK
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site: Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Larissa Fabritz
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
- University Center of Cardiovascular Science, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, UKE Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site: Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany.
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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Kirchhof P, Toennis T, Goette A, Camm AJ, Diener HC, Becher N, Bertaglia E, Blomstrom Lundqvist C, Borlich M, Brandes A, Cabanelas N, Calvert M, Chlouverakis G, Dan GA, de Groot JR, Dichtl W, Kravchuk B, Lubiński A, Marijon E, Merkely B, Mont L, Ozga AK, Rajappan K, Sarkozy A, Scherr D, Sznajder R, Velchev V, Wichterle D, Sehner S, Simantirakis E, Lip GYH, Vardas P, Schotten U, Zapf A. Anticoagulation with Edoxaban in Patients with Atrial High-Rate Episodes. N Engl J Med 2023; 389:1167-1179. [PMID: 37622677 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa2303062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Device-detected atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) are atrial arrhythmias detected by implanted cardiac devices. AHREs resemble atrial fibrillation but are rare and brief. Whether the occurrence of AHREs in patients without atrial fibrillation (as documented on a conventional electrocardiogram [ECG]) justifies the initiation of anticoagulants is not known. METHODS We conducted an event-driven, double-blind, double-dummy, randomized trial involving patients 65 years of age or older who had AHREs lasting for at least 6 minutes and who had at least one additional risk factor for stroke. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive edoxaban or placebo. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, stroke, or systemic embolism, evaluated in a time-to-event analysis. The safety outcome was a composite of death from any cause or major bleeding. RESULTS The analysis population consisted of 2536 patients (1270 in the edoxaban group and 1266 in the placebo group). The mean age was 78 years, 37.4% were women, and the median duration of AHREs was 2.8 hours. The trial was terminated early, at a median follow-up of 21 months, on the basis of safety concerns and the results of an independent, informal assessment of futility for the efficacy of edoxaban; at termination, the planned enrollment had been completed. A primary efficacy outcome event occurred in 83 patients (3.2% per patient-year) in the edoxaban group and in 101 patients (4.0% per patient-year) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60 to 1.08; P = 0.15). The incidence of stroke was approximately 1% per patient-year in both groups. A safety outcome event occurred in 149 patients (5.9% per patient-year) in the edoxaban group and in 114 patients (4.5% per patient-year) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.67; P = 0.03). ECG-diagnosed atrial fibrillation developed in 462 of 2536 patients (18.2% total, 8.7% per patient-year). CONCLUSIONS Among patients with AHREs detected by implantable devices, anticoagulation with edoxaban did not significantly reduce the incidence of a composite of cardiovascular death, stroke, or systemic embolism as compared with placebo, but it led to a higher incidence of a composite of death or major bleeding. The incidence of stroke was low in both groups. (Funded by the German Center for Cardiovascular Research and others; NOAH-AFNET 6 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02618577; ISRCTN number, ISRCTN17309850.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulus Kirchhof
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Tobias Toennis
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Andreas Goette
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - A John Camm
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Hans Christoph Diener
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Nina Becher
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Emanuele Bertaglia
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Carina Blomstrom Lundqvist
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Martin Borlich
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Axel Brandes
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Nuno Cabanelas
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Melanie Calvert
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Gregory Chlouverakis
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Gheorghe-Andrei Dan
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Joris R de Groot
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Wolfgang Dichtl
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Borys Kravchuk
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Andrzej Lubiński
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Eloi Marijon
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Béla Merkely
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Lluís Mont
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Ann-Kathrin Ozga
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Kim Rajappan
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Andrea Sarkozy
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Daniel Scherr
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Rafał Sznajder
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Vasil Velchev
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Dan Wichterle
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Susanne Sehner
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Emmanuel Simantirakis
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Panos Vardas
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Ulrich Schotten
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
| | - Antonia Zapf
- From the Atrial Fibrillation Network, Münster (P.K., A.G., U.S.), the Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg (P.K., T.T., N.B.), and the Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (A.-K.O., S.S., A.Z.), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) Partner Site Hamburg-Kiel-Lübeck (P.K., T.T., N.B.), Hamburg, the Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, St. Vincenz Hospital Paderborn, Paderborn (A.G.), the Department of Neuroepidemiology, Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen (H.C.D.), and the Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken, Bad Segeberg (M.B.) - all in Germany; the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences (P.K.) and the Centre for Patient Reported Outcome Research, Institute of Applied Health Research, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands (M.C.), University of Birmingham, Birmingham, the Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St. George's University of London, and Imperial College London, London (A.J.C.), the Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford (K.R.), and Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science at University of Liverpool, John Moores University, and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool (G.Y.H.L.) - all in the United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa Cardiologia-Azienda Ospedale Università di Padova, Padua, Italy (E.B.); the Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, and the Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro - both in Sweden (C.B.L.); the Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, and the Department of Cardiology, Esbjerg Hospital-University Hospital of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg (A.B.), and the Danish Center for Health Services Research, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg (G.Y.H.L.) - all in Denmark; the Cardiology Department, Fernando Fonseca Hospital, Amadora, Portugal (N.C.); the Biostatistics Lab, School of Medicine, University of Crete (G.C.), and the Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital (E.S.), Heraklion, and the Biomedical Research Foundation Academy of Athens and Hygeia Hospitals Group, Athens (P.V.) - all in Greece; Medicine University Carol Davila, Colentina University Hospital, Bucharest, Romania (G.-A.D.); the Heart Center, Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam (J.R.G.), and the Departments of Cardiology and Physiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht (U.S.) - both in the Netherlands; the Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology and Angiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck (W.D.), and the Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz (D.S.) - both in Austria; the National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv (B.K.); the Department of Cardiology and Internal Disease, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk (A.L.), and the Department of Electrocardiology and Heart Failure, Leszek Giec Upper Silesian Medical Center, Katowice (R.S.) - both in Poland; the Cardiology Division, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, Paris (E.M.); the Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary (B.M.); the Hospital Clinic, Universtitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi Sunyer, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red Cardiovascular, Madrid - all in Spain (L.M.); the Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium (A.S.); the Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital Sofia, Sofia Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria (V.V.); and the Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic (D.W.)
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24
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Parker WA, Vigneault DM, Yang I, Bratt A, Marquardt AC, Sharifi H, Guo HH. Opportunistic Screening for Atrial Fibrillation on Routine Chest Computed Tomography. J Thorac Imaging 2023; 38:270-277. [PMID: 36917506 DOI: 10.1097/rti.0000000000000702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Quantitative biomarkers from chest computed tomography (CT) can facilitate the incidental detection of important diseases. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) substantially increases the risk for comorbid conditions including stroke. This study investigated the relationship between AFib status and left atrial enlargement (LAE) on CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 500 consecutive patients who had undergone nongated chest CTs were included, and left atrium maximal axial cross-sectional area (LA-MACSA), left atrium anterior-posterior dimension (LA-AP), and vertebral body cross-sectional area (VB-Area) were measured. Height, weight, age, sex, and diagnosis of AFib were obtained from the medical record. Parametric statistical analyses and receiver operating characteristic curves were performed. Machine learning classifiers were run with clinical risk factors and LA measurements to predict patients with AFib. RESULTS Eighty-five patients with a diagnosis of AFib were identified. Mean LA-MACSA and LA-AP were significantly larger in patients with AFib than in patients without AFib (28.63 vs. 20.53 cm 2 , P <0.000001; 4.34 vs. 3.5 cm, P <0.000001, respectively), both with area under the curves (AUCs) of 0.73. Multivariable logistic regression analysis including age, sex, and VB-Area with LA-MACSA improved the AUC for predicting AFib (AUC=0.77). An LA-MACSA threshold of 30 cm 2 demonstrated high specificity for AFib diagnosis at 92% and sensitivity of 48%, and LA-AP threshold at 4.5 cm demonstrated 90% specificity and 42% sensitivity. A Bayesian machine learning model using age, sex, height, body surface area, and LA-MACSA predicted AFib with an AUC of 0.743. CONCLUSIONS LA-MACSA or LA-AP can be rapidly measured from routine chest CT, and when >30 cm 2 and >4.5 cm, respectively, are specific indicators to predict patients at increased risk for AFib.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Issac Yang
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA
| | - Alex Bratt
- Stanford and Mayo Clinic Hospital, Rochester, MN
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25
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Hewage S, Jadamba A, Brain D, Parsonage W, McPhail S, Kularatna S. Global and regional burden of ischemic stroke associated with atrial fibrillation, 2009-2019. Prev Med 2023; 173:107584. [PMID: 37348767 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
The extent of the preventable burden of ischaemic stroke associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) remains uncertain to date. To address this knowledge gap, we utilised the comparative risk assessment methodology to estimate the burden of ischaemic stroke associated with AF at both global and regional levels. The population attributable fraction for ischaemic stroke and AF was obtained from published literature, while data on the prevalence, incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) associated with ischaemic stroke were sourced from the Global Burden of Disease study database. Our analysis revealed that in 2019, globally, there were an estimated 0.7 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] of 0.55 to 0.83) million incident cases, 6.9 (5.81 to 8.12) million prevalence cases, 0.3 0.25 to 0.34) million deaths and 5.7 (4.91 to 6.57) million DALY resulting from ischaemic stroke associated with AF. The age-standardised death and DALY rates declined between 2009 and 2019 in all regions to varying degrees. Conversely, the age-standardised incidence and prevalence rates reduced only in high-income countries, Central Europe, Eastern Europe and Central Asia and Latin America and Caribbean regions. It is likely that our findings under-estimated the true burden of ischaemic stroke associated with AF due to limitations such as the use of a fixed population attributable fraction and poor quality of data. Nevertheless, we believe that our estimates provide valuable insights and highlight the urgent need for optimised management of AF through the implementation of efficacious interventions. Such efforts can help reduce the occurrence of preventable ischaemic strokes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumudu Hewage
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Amarzaya Jadamba
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - David Brain
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - William Parsonage
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia; Cardiology Department, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Queensland, Australia
| | - Steven McPhail
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia; Digital Health and Informatics Directorate, Metro South Health, Queensland, Australia
| | - Sanjeewa Kularatna
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
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26
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Zhang X, Huang J, Weng F, Wen Y, Wang X, Jiang J, Xue Y, Li K. Adherence to Atrial Fibrillation Better Care (ABC) Pathway Management of Chinese Community Elderly Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Cross-Sectional Study. Patient Prefer Adherence 2023; 17:1813-1823. [PMID: 37520064 PMCID: PMC10386861 DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s417384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Investigating adherence to the Atrial Fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway management and identifying gaps between the real world and established guidelines can lead to better integrated management of AF. Current data on adherence to ABC pathway management among community elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in Chinese communities is limited. Aim To investigate the adherence to ABC pathway management among community elderly patients with AF in China. Methods In this cross-sectional study, data were collected from the 2020 National Basic Public Health Service Program database that includes health examination information for all residents >65 years of age in Yuexiu, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. Demographic and clinical characteristics data from 197 community AF patients were obtained. Results Among the 197 AF patients, 103 (52.3%) were male, 117 (59.4%) were ≥75 years of age, 127 (64.5%) had a senior middle school education or above, 84.3% were married, and 195 (99.0%) had medical insurance. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (72.1%, 142/197), dyslipidaemia (28.4%, 56/197), CAD (28.9%, 57/197), and diabetes (24.9%, 49/197). In terms of the ABC management pathway, 21.8% (43/197), 82.7% (163/197), and 31.5% (62/197) of AF patients were classified into the A-adherent group, B-adherent group, and C-adherent group, respectively. The level of adherence to ABC pathway management was very low (9.1%, 18/197) and independently associated with age and multimorbidity. Conclusion The level of adherence to ABC pathway management in community elderly patients with AF was unsatisfactory. Further research is warranted to improve the integrated management of AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Zhang
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jun Huang
- Department of Geriatrics, Guangdong Provincial Geriatrics Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fan Weng
- Yuexiu District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yanting Wen
- Yuexiu District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxia Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Guangdong Provincial Geriatrics Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Junrong Jiang
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yumei Xue
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kun Li
- School of Nursing, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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27
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Chung HG, Park J, Park JK, Kang KW, Shim J, Kim JB, Kim J, Choi EK, Park HW, Lee YS, Joung B. Rhythm Control and Cardiovascular or Cerebrovascular Outcomes in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Study of the CODE-AF Registry. J Clin Med 2023; 12:4579. [PMID: 37510693 PMCID: PMC10380641 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12144579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is not clear whether the data regarding rhythm control during atrial fibrillation (AF) contained in AF registries is prognostically significant. Thus, this study investigated the relationship between rhythm control and cardiovascular outcomes in patients in contemporary AF registries. METHODS This study was conducted using data from 6670 patients with AF receiving oral anticoagulation in the CODE-AF registry. We used propensity overlap weighting to account for differences in baseline characteristics between the rhythm control and rate control groups. The primary outcome was a composite of the rate of death due to cardiovascular causes, stroke, acute coronary syndrome, and heart failure. The secondary outcomes were individual components of the primary outcome. RESULTS In the CODE-AF registry, 5407 (81.1%) patients were enrolled three months after AF diagnosis. During a median follow-up period of 973 days (interquartile range: 755-1089 days), a primary outcome event occurred in 72 patients in the rhythm control group (1.4 events per 100 person-years) and in 211 patients in the rate control group (1.8 events per 100 person-years). However, after overlap weighting, the incidence rates were 1.4 and 1.5 events per 100 person-years, respectively. No significant difference was found in either the primary outcome (weighted HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.66-1.17; p = 0.363) or secondary outcomes between the rhythm control and rate control groups. CONCLUSION In a prospective AF registry in which most of the population was enrolled at least three months after AF diagnosis, no difference in the risk of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular outcomes was found between the rhythm control and rate control groups, suggesting the early rhythm control should be considered to improve the outcome of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho-Gi Chung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonseiro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Junbeom Park
- Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 07985, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Kyu Park
- Department of Cardiology, Hanyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Woon Kang
- Division of Cardiology, Eulji University Hospital, Daejeon 35233, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaemin Shim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Medical Center, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin-Bae Kim
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Kim
- Heart Institute, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Eue-Keun Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung Wook Park
- Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61469, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Soo Lee
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Daegu Catholic University Medical Center, Daegu 42472, Republic of Korea
| | - Boyoung Joung
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonseiro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
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28
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Toennis T, Bertaglia E, Brandes A, Dichtl W, Fluschnik N, de Groot JR, Marijon E, Mont L, Lundqvist CB, Cabanelas N, Dan GA, Lubinski A, Merkely B, Rajappan K, Sarkozy A, Velchev V, Wichterle D, Kirchhof P. The influence of atrial high-rate episodes on stroke and cardiovascular death: an update. Europace 2023; 25:euad166. [PMID: 37345804 PMCID: PMC10319778 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial high-rate episodes (AHRE) are atrial tachyarrhythmias detected by continuous rhythm monitoring by pacemakers, defibrillators, or implantable cardiac monitors. Atrial high-rate episodes occur in 10-30% of elderly patients without atrial fibrillation. However, it remains unclear whether the presence of these arrhythmias has therapeutic consequences. The presence of AHRE increases the risk of stroke compared with patients without AHRE. Oral anticoagulation would have the potential to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with AHRE but is also associated with a rate of major bleeding of ∼2%/year. The stroke rate in patients with AHRE appears to be lower than the stroke rate in patients with atrial fibrillation. Wearables like smart-watches will increase the absolute number of patients in whom atrial arrhythmias are detected. It remains unclear whether anticoagulation is effective and, equally important, safe in patients with AHRE. Two randomized clinical trials, NOAH-AFNET6 and ARTESiA, are expected to report soon. They will provide much-needed information on the efficacy and safety of oral anticoagulation in patients with AHRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Toennis
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, Hamburg 20246, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Emanuele Bertaglia
- Department of Cardiac, Vascular, Thoracic and Public Health Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliera, 35128 Padua, Italy
| | - Axel Brandes
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Odense University Hospital, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Wolfgang Dichtl
- University Hospital of Internal Medicine III, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nina Fluschnik
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, Hamburg 20246, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joris R de Groot
- Department of Cardiology, Heart Center, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eloi Marijon
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Section, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Lluis Mont
- Cardiovascular Clinical Institute, Hospital Clinic, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Carina Blomström Lundqvist
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Department of Cardiology, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, 701 85 Örebro, Sweden
- Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nuno Cabanelas
- Arrhythmias Unit of Cardiology Department, Hospital Prof. Dr. Fernando Fonseca, 2720-276 Amadora-Sintra, Portugal
| | - G Andrei Dan
- Department 5, Colentina University Hospital, Medicine University ‘Carol Davila’, Bucharest 020021, Romania
| | - Andrzej Lubinski
- Department of Cardiology and Internal Diseases, Medical University of Gdańsk,80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Béla Merkely
- Heart and Vascular Center, Semmelweis University Budapest, 1122 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kim Rajappan
- Cardiac Department, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Andrea Sarkozy
- Ventricular Arrhythmia and Sudden Death Management Unit, Heart Rhythm Management Center, University Hospital of Brussels, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vasil Velchev
- Cardiology Clinic, St. Anna University Hospital, Medical University Sofia, 1750, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Dan Wichterle
- Department of Cardiology, Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 140 21 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Paulus Kirchhof
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart & Vascular Center Hamburg, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, Hamburg 20246, Germany
- German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Luebeck, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, UHB and Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trusts, IBR 126a, Wolfson Drive, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET), 48149 Muenster, Germany
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Gu H, Huang J, Qiao S, Chen X, Cao X. Predictors of participation in atrial fibrillation screening among community residents in China. Heart Lung 2023; 61:59-64. [PMID: 37150046 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2023.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased stroke risk, but many cases of AF remain undiagnosed. Screening is suggested for early detection of AF. However, nonparticipation in screening is frequently reported, and the underlying causes of why patients choose to participate or not are poorly understood. OBJECTIVES To explore factors associated with participation in AF screening in a high-risk population in China. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among community residents who were at risk for AF in Guangzhou, China, from February to September 2022. Data on AF knowledge, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and willingness to participate in AF screening were collected. Sociodemographic and clinical data were also collected. Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis was performed to explore predictors for participation in AF screening. RESULTS In total, 420 participants were included, with a mean age of 74.4 (±7.43) years old. The results showed that 77.4% of participants reported that they were likely to participate in AF screening. The results of multiple linear regression showed that perceived behavioral control (β =0.591, 95% CI: 0.071, 0.094), attitude (β =0.085, 95% CI: 0.001, 0.025), and having an AF diagnosis (β =0.098, 95% CI: 0.068, 0.494) were positively associated with willingness to participate in AF screening. CONCLUSIONS Chinese patients are more likely to participate in AF screening when they perceive great control over their behavior, hold a positive attitude, and have an AF diagnosis. The findings provide clues for future interventions aimed at improving the AF screening participation rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyue Gu
- The School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jun Huang
- Department of Geriatrics, Guangdong General Hospital, Institute of Geriatrics, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Shuqian Qiao
- The School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xinyi Chen
- The School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xi Cao
- The School of Nursing, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Apenteng P, Virdone S, Camm J, Fox KAA, Bassand JP, Turpie AGG, Oh S, Brodmann M, Cools F, Barretto ACP, Nielsen J, Haas S, Kayani G, Pieper KS, Kakkar AK. Determinants and clinical outcomes of patients who refused anticoagulation: findings from the global GARFIELD-AF registry. Open Heart 2023; 10:e002275. [PMID: 37169491 PMCID: PMC10410826 DOI: 10.1136/openhrt-2023-002275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There is a substantial incidence of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) not receiving anticoagulation. The reasons for not receiving anticoagulation are generally attributed to clinician's choice, however, a proportion of AF patients refuse anticoagulation. The aim of our study was to investigate factors associated with patient refusal of anticoagulation and the clinical outcomes in these patients. METHODS Our study population comprised patients in the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD (GARFIELD-AF) registry with CHA2DS2-VASc≥2. A logistic regression was developed with predictors of patient anticoagulation refusal identified by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator methodology. Patient demographics, medical and cardiovascular history, lifestyle factors, vital signs (body mass index, pulse, systolic and diastolic blood pressure), type of AF and care setting at diagnosis were considered as potential predictors. We also investigated 2-year outcomes of non-haemorrhagic stroke/systemic embolism (SE), major bleeding and all-cause mortality in patients who refused versus patients who received and patients who did not receive anticoagulation for other reasons. RESULTS Out of 43 154 AF patients, who were at high risk of stroke, 13 283 (30.8%) did not receive anticoagulation at baseline. The reason for not receiving anticoagulation was unavailable for 38.7% (5146/13 283); of the patients with a known reason for not receiving anticoagulation, 12.5% (1014/8137) refused anticoagulation. Diagnosis in primary care/general practitioner, Asian ethnicity and presence of vascular disease were strongly associated with a higher risk of patient refusal of anticoagulation. Patient refusal of anticoagulation was associated with a higher risk of non-haemorrhagic stroke/SE (adjusted HR (aHR) 1.16 (95% CI 0.77 to 1.76)) but lower all-cause mortality (aHR 0.59 (95% CI 0.43 to 0.80)) compared with patients who received anticoagulation. The GARFIELD-AF mortality score corroborated this result. CONCLUSION The data suggest patient refusal of anticoagulation is a missed opportunity to prevent AF-related stroke. Further research is required to understand the patient profile and mortality outcome of patients who refuse anticoagulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Apenteng
- Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham Institute of Applied Health Research, Birmingham, UK
| | - Saverio Virdone
- Department of Statistics, Thrombosis Research Institute, London, UK
| | - John Camm
- Cardiology, St Georges Hospital, London, UK
| | - Keith A A Fox
- Cardiology, University of Edinburgh and Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | | | - Seil Oh
- Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
| | | | - Frank Cools
- AZ Klina, General Hospital Klina, Brasschaat, Belgium
| | - Antonio C P Barretto
- Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jørn Nielsen
- Department of Cardiology, University of Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Sylvia Haas
- Haemostasis and Thrombosis Research Group, Institute for Experimental Oncology and Therapy Research, Formerly Technical University, Munich, Germany
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Halahakone U, Senanayake S, McCreanor V, Parsonage W, Kularatna S, Brain D. Cost-Effectiveness of Screening to Identify Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review. Heart Lung Circ 2023:S1443-9506(23)00152-X. [PMID: 37100697 DOI: 10.1016/j.hlc.2023.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Screening for Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is recommended for people aged above 65 years. Screening for AF in asymptomatic individuals can be beneficial by enabling earlier diagnosis and the commencement of interventions to reduce the risk of early events, thus improving patient outcomes. This study systematically reviews the literature about the cost-effectiveness of various screening methods for previously undiagnosed AF. METHODS Four databases were searched to identify articles that are cost-effectiveness studies conducted on screening for AF published from January 2000 to August 2022. The Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards 2022 checklist was used to assess the quality of the selected studies. A previously published approach was used to assess the usefulness of each study for health policy makers. RESULTS The database search yielded 799 results, with 26 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Articles were categorised into four subgroups: (i) population screening, (ii) opportunistic screening, (iii) targeted, and (iv) mixed methods of screening. Most of the studies screened adults ≥65 years of age. Most studies were performed from a 'health care payer perspective' and almost all studies used 'not screening' as a comparator. Almost all screening methods assessed were found to be cost-effective in comparison to 'not screening'. The reporting quality varied between 58% to 89%. The majority of the studies were found to be of limited usefulness for health policy makers, as none of the studies made any clear statements about policy change or implementation direction. CONCLUSION All approaches of AF screening were found to be cost-effective compared with no screening, while opportunistic screening was found to be the optimal approach in some studies. However, screening for AF in asymptomatic individuals is context specific and likely to be cost-effective depending on the population screened, screening approach, frequency, and the duration of screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ureni Halahakone
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
| | - Sameera Senanayake
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Victoria McCreanor
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia; Jamieson Trauma Institute, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Metro North Health, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - William Parsonage
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia; Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Metro North Health, Brisbane, Qld, Australia; Digital Health and Informatics Directorate, Metro South Health, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Sanjeewa Kularatna
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - David Brain
- Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation and Centre for Healthcare Transformation, School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
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Savelieva I, Fumagalli S, Kenny RA, Anker S, Benetos A, Boriani G, Bunch J, Dagres N, Dubner S, Fauchier L, Ferrucci L, Israel C, Kamel H, Lane DA, Lip GYH, Marchionni N, Obel I, Okumura K, Olshansky B, Potpara T, Stiles MK, Tamargo J, Ungar A. EHRA expert consensus document on the management of arrhythmias in frailty syndrome, endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), Latin America Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS), and Cardiac Arrhythmia Society of Southern Africa (CASSA). Europace 2023; 25:1249-1276. [PMID: 37061780 PMCID: PMC10105859 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euac123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an increasing proportion of the general population surviving to old age with significant chronic disease, multi-morbidity, and disability. The prevalence of pre-frail state and frailty syndrome increases exponentially with advancing age and is associated with greater morbidity, disability, hospitalization, institutionalization, mortality, and health care resource use. Frailty represents a global problem, making early identification, evaluation, and treatment to prevent the cascade of events leading from functional decline to disability and death, one of the challenges of geriatric and general medicine. Cardiac arrhythmias are common in advancing age, chronic illness, and frailty and include a broad spectrum of rhythm and conduction abnormalities. However, no systematic studies or recommendations on the management of arrhythmias are available specifically for the elderly and frail population, and the uptake of many effective antiarrhythmic therapies in these patients remains the slowest. This European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) consensus document focuses on the biology of frailty, common comorbidities, and methods of assessing frailty, in respect to a specific issue of arrhythmias and conduction disease, provide evidence base advice on the management of arrhythmias in patients with frailty syndrome, and identifies knowledge gaps and directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Savelieva
- Cardiovascular Clinical Academic Group, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Stefano Fumagalli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Geriatric Intensive Care Unit and Geriatric Arrhythmia Unit, University of Florence and AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Rose Anne Kenny
- Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing, Department of Medical Gerontology, St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stefan Anker
- Department of Cardiology (CVK), Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) partner site Berlin, Germany
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Athanase Benetos
- Department of Geriatric Medicine CHRU de Nancy and INSERM U1116, Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France
| | - Giuseppe Boriani
- Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Jared Bunch
- (HRS representative): Intermountain Medical Center, Cardiology Department, Salt Lake City,Utah, USA
- Stanford University, Department of Internal Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Nikolaos Dagres
- Heart Center Leipzig, Department of Electrophysiology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sergio Dubner
- (LAHRS representative): Clinica Suizo Argentina, Cardiology Department, Buenos Aires Capital Federal, Argentina
| | - Laurent Fauchier
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Trousseau et Université François Rabelais, Tours, France
| | | | - Carsten Israel
- Evangelisches Krankenhaus Bielefeld GmbH, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Hooman Kamel
- Department of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Deirdre A Lane
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Aalborg Thrombosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Aalborg Thrombosis Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Niccolò Marchionni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, General Cardiology Division, University of Florence and AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Israel Obel
- (CASSA representative): Milpark Hospital, Cardiology Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ken Okumura
- (APHRS representative): Saiseikai Kumamoto Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Brian Olshansky
- University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa CityIowa, USA
- Covenant Hospital, Waterloo, Iowa, USA
- Mercy Hospital Mason City, Iowa, USA
| | - Tatjana Potpara
- School of Medicine, Belgrade University, Serbia
- Cardiology Clinic, Clinical Center of Serbia, Serbia
| | - Martin K Stiles
- (APHRS representative): Waikato Clinical School, University of Auckland and Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Juan Tamargo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, CIBERCV, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrea Ungar
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Geriatric Intensive Care Unit and Geriatric Arrhythmia Unit, University of Florence and AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy
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Clua-Espuny JL, Molto-Balado P, Lucas-Noll J, Panisello-Tafalla A, Muria-Subirats E, Clua-Queralt J, Queralt-Tomas L, Reverté-Villarroya S. Early Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Incidence in Primary Care: Translating Measurements into Actions-A Retrospective Cohort Study. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041116. [PMID: 37189734 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: AF-related strokes will triple by 2060, are associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline, and alone or in combination, will be one of the main health and economic burdens on the European population. The main goal of this paper is to describe the incidence of new AF associated with stroke, cognitive decline and mortality among people at high risk for AF. (2) Methods: Multicenter, observational, retrospective, community-based studies were conducted from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2021. The setting was primary care centers. A total of 40,297 people aged ≥65 years without previous AF or stroke were stratified by AFrisk at 5 years. The main measurements were the overall incidence density/1000 person-years (CI95%) of AF and stroke, prevalence of cognitive decline, and Kaplan-Meier curve. (3) Results: In total, 46.4% women, 77.65 ± 8.46 years old on average showed anAF incidence of 9.9/103/year (CI95% 9.5-10.3), associated with a four-fold higher risk of stroke (CI95% 3.4-4.7), cognitive impairment(OR 1.34 (CI95% 1.1-1.5)), and all-cause mortality (OR 1.14 (CI95% 1.0-1.2)), but there was no significant difference in ischemic heart disease, chronic kidney disease, or peripheral arteriopathy. Unknown AF was diagnosed in 9.4% and of these patients, 21.1% were diagnosed with new stroke. (4) Conclusions: The patients at high AF risk (Q4th) already had an increased cardiovascular risk before they were diagnosed with AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep-Lluis Clua-Espuny
- Primary Health-Care Centre, Institut Català de la Salut, Primary Care Service (SAP), EAP Tortosa-Est, Plaça Carrilet s/núm, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
- Research Support Unit Terres de l'Ebre, Institut Universitarid'Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol (IDIAP JGol), USR Terres de l'Ebre, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
| | - Pedro Molto-Balado
- Primary Health-Care Centre, Institut Català de la Salut, Primary Care Service (SAP) Terres de l'Ebre, UUDDTortosa-Terres de l'Ebre, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
| | - Jorgina Lucas-Noll
- Health Department, Management CatSalut Terres de l'Ebre, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
| | - Anna Panisello-Tafalla
- Primary Health-Care Centre, Institut Català de la Salut, Primary Care Service (SAP), EAP Tortosa-Est, Plaça Carrilet s/núm, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
| | - Eulalia Muria-Subirats
- Primary Health-Care Centre, Institut Català de la Salut, Primary Care Service (SAP) Terres de l'Ebre, EAP Amposta, C/Sebastià Juan Arbó, 139, 43870 Amposta, Spain
| | - Josep Clua-Queralt
- Research Support Unit Terres de l'Ebre, Institut Universitarid'Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol (IDIAP JGol), USR Terres de l'Ebre, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
| | - Lluïsa Queralt-Tomas
- Primary Health-Care Centre, Institut Català de la Salut, Primary Care Service (SAP), EAP Tortosa-Oest, Avda Cristobal Colon, 16, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
| | - Silvia Reverté-Villarroya
- Nursing Department, Campus Terres de l'Ebre, University Rovira i Virgili, Av Remolins, 13, 43500 Tortosa, Spain
- Advanced Nursing Research Group, Medicine and Health Sciences, University Rovira i Virgili, 43002 Tarragona, Spain
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Font J, Milliez P, Ouazar AB, Klok FA, Alexandre J. Atrial fibrillation, cancer and anticancer drugs. Arch Cardiovasc Dis 2023; 116:219-226. [PMID: 37002156 DOI: 10.1016/j.acvd.2023.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Active cancer is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), which varies depending on the pre-existing substrate (particularly in older patients), the cancer type and stage, and the anticancer therapeutics being taken. To date, studies have not been able to identify the individual contribution of each factor. During anticancer drug therapy, AF may occur with a frequency of ≈ 15-20% according to several factors, including the patient's baseline cardiovascular toxicity risk and the AF-detection strategies used. Many anticancer drugs have been associated with AF or AF reporting, both in terms of incident and recurrent AF, but robust data are lacking. Only bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor associated AF (mainly ibrutinib) has a high level of evidence, with a ≈ 3-4-fold higher risk of AF. AF in patients with active cancer is associated with a twofold higher risk of systemic thromboembolism or stroke, and the "TBIP" (Thromboembolic risk, Bleeding risk, drug-drug Interactions, Patient preferences) structured approach must be used to evaluate the need for anticoagulation therapy. AF in patients with active cancer is also associated with a sixfold higher risk of heart failure, and optimal symptom control must be targeted, usually with rate-control drugs (beta-blockers), but a rhythm-control strategy may be proposed in patients remaining symptomatic despite optimal rate-control. AF is generally manageable, with the continuation of anticancer drugs (including ibrutinib); interruption of cancer drugs must be avoided whenever possible and weighed against the risk of cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonaz Font
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 Anticipe, avenue du Général-Harris, 14000 Caen, France; CHU de Caen-Normandie, Department of Cardiology, avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14000 Caen, France
| | - Paul Milliez
- CHU de Caen-Normandie, Department of Cardiology, avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14000 Caen, France; Normandie University, UNICAEN, Inserm U1237 PhIND, GIP Cyceron, boulevard Henri-Becquerel, 14000 Caen, France
| | | | - Frederikus A Klok
- Department of Medicine - Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Joachim Alexandre
- Normandie University, UNICAEN, Inserm U1086 Anticipe, avenue du Général-Harris, 14000 Caen, France; CHU de Caen-Normandie, PICARO Cardio-Oncology Program, Department of Pharmacology, avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14000 Caen, France.
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Karagianni A, Mandalenakis Z, Papadopoulos S, Dellborg M, Eriksson P. Percutaneous atrial shunt closure and the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke: A register-based, nationwide cohort study. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2023; 32:107084. [PMID: 36965352 DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2023.107084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate the risk of recurrent stroke in patients with transcatheter closure of an atrial shunt (ASCIos), compared to patients with an atrial shunt and cerebrovascular event (CVE) but only medical treated (ASMed), and to age- and sex-matched control individuals without a previous CVE. METHODS In total, 663 ASCIos patients were identified in the Swedish National Patient Register from 1997 to 2016 and matched by using propensity score with 663 ASMed patients. Nine age- and sex-matched controls to ASCIos patients (n = 6,302) without a diagnosis of atrial shunt or history of CVE were randomly selected from the general population. RESULTS At a mean follow-up of 6.5 years, the incidence rate of recurrent stroke in the ASCIos group vs ASMed group was 0.9 vs 0.7 per 100 patient-years. The hazard ratio of recurrent stroke in the ASCIos group compared with index stroke in the control group was 9.9 (95% confidence interval, 5.5-17.9). The incidence of atrial fibrillation was similar in the ASCIos and the ASMed group, however four times higher in the ASCIos than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Our large nationwide, register-based cohort study showed that, unexpectedly, the risk of recurrent stroke in the ASCos group was as high as in the ASMed group and almost ten times higher than the risk of an index stroke in matched controls without previous stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Karagianni
- Center for Adults with Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD), Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Sweden; Institute of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Cardiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Sweden.
| | - Zacharias Mandalenakis
- Center for Adults with Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD), Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Sweden; Institute of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Cardiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Sweden.
| | - Savvas Papadopoulos
- Department of Business Administration, School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg.
| | - Mikael Dellborg
- Center for Adults with Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD), Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Sweden; Institute of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Cardiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Sweden.
| | - Peter Eriksson
- Center for Adults with Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD), Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Östra, Sweden; Institute of Medicine, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine/Cardiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Sweden.
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Protocol for a Systematic Review and Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials of Screening for Atrial Fibrillation to Prevent Stroke. Thromb Haemost 2023; 123:366-376. [PMID: 36863334 PMCID: PMC9981276 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1760257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cause of stroke. Timely diagnosis of AF and treatment with oral anticoagulation (OAC) can prevent up to two-thirds of AF-related strokes. Ambulatory electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring can identify undiagnosed AF in at-risk individuals, but the impact of population-based ECG screening on stroke is uncertain, as ongoing and published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have generally been underpowered for stroke. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The AF-SCREEN Collaboration, with support from AFFECT-EU, have begun a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis of RCTs evaluating ECG screening for AF. The primary outcome is stroke. Secondary outcomes include AF detection, OAC prescription, hospitalization, mortality, and bleeding.After developing a common data dictionary, anonymized data will be collated from individual trials into a central database. We will assess risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration tool, and overall quality of evidence with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach.We will pool data using random effects models. Prespecified subgroup and multilevel meta-regression analyses will explore heterogeneity. We will perform prespecified trial sequential meta-analyses of published trials to determine when the optimal information size has been reached, and account for unpublished trials using the SAMURAI approach. IMPACT AND DISSEMINATION Individual participant data meta-analysis will generate adequate power to assess the risks and benefits of AF screening. Meta-regression will permit exploration of the specific patient, screening methodology, and health system factors that influence outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER PROSPERO CRD42022310308.
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Go AS, Al-Khatib SM, Desvigne-Nickens P, Bansal N, Bushnell CD, Fang MC, Freeman JV, Gage BF, Hanke T, Hylek EM, Lopes RD, Noseworthy PA, Reddy VY, Singer DE, Thomas KL, Hills MT, Turakhia MP, Zieman SJ, Cooper LS, Benjamin EJ. Research Opportunities in Stroke Prevention for Atrial Fibrillation: A Report From a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Virtual Workshop. Stroke 2023; 54:e75-e85. [PMID: 36848427 PMCID: PMC9995163 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.121.038273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the strongest risk factors for ischemic stroke, which is a leading cause of disability and death. Given the aging population, increasing prevalence of AF risk factors, and improved survival in those with cardiovascular disease, the number of individuals affected by AF will continue increasing over time. While multiple proven stroke prevention therapies exist, important questions remain about the optimal approach to stroke prevention at the population and individual patient levels. Our report summarizes the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute virtual workshop focused on identifying key research opportunities related to stroke prevention in AF. The workshop reviewed major knowledge gaps and identified targeted research opportunities to advance stroke prevention in AF in the following areas: (1) improving risk stratification tools for stroke and intracranial hemorrhage; (2) addressing challenges with oral anticoagulants; and (3) delineating the optimal roles of percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion and surgical left atrial appendage closure/excision. This report aims to promote innovative, impactful research that will lead to more personalized, effective use of stroke prevention strategies in people with AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan S. Go
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA
- Department of Health Systems Science, Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA
- Departments of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - Sana M. Al-Khatib
- Division of Cardiology and Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - Patrice Desvigne-Nickens
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Nisha Bansal
- Division of Nephrology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Margaret C. Fang
- Division of Hospital Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
| | - James V. Freeman
- Department of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT
- Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation, Yale New Haven Health Services Corporation, New Haven, CT
| | - Brian F. Gage
- Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
| | - Thorsten Hanke
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Asklepios Klinikum Harburg-Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Renato D. Lopes
- Division of Cardiology and Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | | | - Vivek Y. Reddy
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Daniel E. Singer
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Kevin L. Thomas
- Division of Cardiology and Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | | | - Mintu P. Turakhia
- Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto CA
- Center for Digital Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Susan J. Zieman
- Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Lawton S. Cooper
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Emelia J. Benjamin
- Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
- Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA
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Turakhia MP, Guo JD, Keshishian A, Delinger R, Sun X, Ferri M, Russ C, Cato M, Yuce H, Hlavacek P. Contemporary prevalence estimates of undiagnosed and diagnosed atrial fibrillation in the United States. Clin Cardiol 2023; 46:484-493. [PMID: 36855960 DOI: 10.1002/clc.23983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence estimates vary and have been based on cohorts with clinically established or diagnosed disease. Undiagnosed AF prevalence estimates are less certain as they are based on nongeneralizable convenience samples. HYPOTHESIS Because AF is often asymptomatic, it my remain undiagnosed until the development of complications such as stroke or heart failure. Consequently, the observed prevalence of diagnosed AF from the literature may underestimate total disease burden. We therefore sought to estimate the total prevalence of both diagnosed and undiagnosed AF. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study from 2012 to 2017 using data from five US medical claims data sets. Undiagnosed AF prevalence was estimated based on the observed incidence of ischemic stroke, systemic embolism (SE), and AF incidence after a stroke/SE. The diagnosed AF cohort included AF patients between Q1 2014 and Q3 2015. The undiagnosed AF cohort were patients with assumed undiagnosed AF in the year before a stroke/SE and who were newly diagnosed with AF in the 3-month poststroke/SE. Stroke/SE incidence was calculated among all AF patients and the ratio of number of undiagnosed AF patients to stroke rate was created. Age- and sex-adjusted estimates were stratified by period of assumed undiagnosed AF before poststroke/SE AF diagnosis (1 or 2 years). RESULTS The estimated US prevalence of AF (diagnosed and undiagnosed) in Q3 2015 was 5 628 000 cases, of which 591 000 cases (11%) were undiagnosed. The assumed 2-year undiagnosed AF prevalence was 23% (1 531 000) of the total prevalent patients with AF (6 568 000). Undiagnosed (vs. diagnosed) AF patients were older and had higher CHA2DS2-VASc scores. Of undiagnosed AF, 93% had CHA2DS2-VASc ≥2 and met OAC criteria. CONCLUSIONS These contemporary estimates demonstrate the high prevalence of undiagnosed AF in the United States. Undiagnosed AF patients are composed of primarily elderly individuals who if diagnosed, would meet criteria for stroke prevention therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mintu P Turakhia
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Huseyin Yuce
- New York City College of Technology, City University of New York, New York City, New York, USA
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Harrison SL, Buckley BJR, Zheng Y, Hill A, Hlaing T, Davies R, Guo Y, Lane DA, Lip GYH. Evaluation of Huawei smart wearables for detection of atrial fibrillation in patients following ischemic stroke: The Liverpool-Huawei stroke study. Am Heart J 2023; 257:103-110. [PMID: 36493841 DOI: 10.1016/j.ahj.2022.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) often remains undetected following stroke. Documenting AF is critical to initiate oral anticoagulation, which has proven benefit in reducing recurrent stroke and mortality in patients with AF. The accuracy and acceptability of using smart wearables to detect AF in patients following stroke is unknown. METHODS The aims of the Liverpool-Huawei Stroke Study are to determine the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and patient and staff acceptability of using Huawei smart wearables to detect AF following ischemic stroke. The study plans to recruit 1,000 adults aged ≥18 years following ischemic stroke from participating hospitals over 12 months. All participants will be asked to wear a Huawei smart band for 4 weeks postdischarge. If participants do not have access to a compatible smartphone required for the study, they will be provided with a smartphone for the 4-week AF monitoring period. RESULTS Participants with suspected AF detected by the smart wearables, without previous known AF, will be referred for further evaluation. To determine the effectiveness of the Huawei smart wearables to detect AF, the positive predictive value will be determined. Patient acceptability of using this technology will also be examined. Additional follow-up assessments will be conducted at 6 and 12 months, and clinical outcomes recorded in relation to prevalent and incident AF post-stroke. The study opened for recruitment on May 30, 2022, and is currently open at 4 participating hospitals; the first 106 participants have been recruited. One further hospital is preparing to open for recruitment. CONCLUSIONS This prospective study will examine the effectiveness and acceptability of the use of smart wearables in patients following ischemic stroke. This could have important implications for detection of AF and therefore, earlier prophylaxis for recurrent stroke. The study is registered on https://www.isrctn.com/ (Identifier ISRCTN30693819).
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Harrison
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
| | - Benjamin J R Buckley
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Yalin Zheng
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Eye and Vision Sciences, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Hill
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Medicine for Older People, Whiston Hospital, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Merseyside, United Kingdom
| | - Thant Hlaing
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Merseyside, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Davies
- Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Merseyside, United Kingdom
| | - Yutao Guo
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Pulmonary Vessel and Thrombotic Disease, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Deirdre A Lane
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Gregory Y H Lip
- Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom; Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
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Tsao CW, Aday AW, Almarzooq ZI, Anderson CAM, Arora P, Avery CL, Baker-Smith CM, Beaton AZ, Boehme AK, Buxton AE, Commodore-Mensah Y, Elkind MSV, Evenson KR, Eze-Nliam C, Fugar S, Generoso G, Heard DG, Hiremath S, Ho JE, Kalani R, Kazi DS, Ko D, Levine DA, Liu J, Ma J, Magnani JW, Michos ED, Mussolino ME, Navaneethan SD, Parikh NI, Poudel R, Rezk-Hanna M, Roth GA, Shah NS, St-Onge MP, Thacker EL, Virani SS, Voeks JH, Wang NY, Wong ND, Wong SS, Yaffe K, Martin SS. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2023 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2023; 147:e93-e621. [PMID: 36695182 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000001123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 859] [Impact Index Per Article: 859.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs). METHODS The American Heart Association, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2023 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2022 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. The American Heart Association strives to further understand and help heal health problems inflicted by structural racism, a public health crisis that can significantly damage physical and mental health and perpetuate disparities in access to health care, education, income, housing, and several other factors vital to healthy lives. This year's edition includes additional COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) publications, as well as data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, with an enhanced focus on health equity across several key domains. RESULTS Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics. CONCLUSIONS The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.
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Boriani G, Bonini N, Imberti JF, Vitolo M. New Perspectives on Risk Stratification and Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: An Analysis of Recent Contributions on the Journal of Cardiovascular Disease and Development. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10. [PMID: 36826557 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10020061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The medical approach to atrial fibrillation (AF) underwent a paradigm shift over time, evolving from considering AF as a simple arrhythmic phenomenon to a complex nosological entity [...].
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Song JH, Park D, Jeong YS, Park JK. Potential role of bolus-tracking data of carotid CT angiography for atrial fibrillation prediction. Eur Radiol 2023; 33:981-7. [PMID: 35962815 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-022-09072-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Atrial fibrillation (AF), a significant cause of ischemic stroke, often goes undetected because of its asymptomatic nature. This study investigated whether the total bolus-tracking time (TTT) and average slope (AS) of a bolus-tracking graph could be used to predict AF. METHODS This single-center, retrospective study included patients who underwent carotid CTA and a 24-h Holter test. TTT and the average degree of enhancement during bolus-tracking, derived from carotid CTA, were defined as variables of interest. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and elevated left atrial pressure (LAP) were identified according to the guidelines of the 2016 American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging. RESULTS The final cohort comprised 716 patients, 80 of whom presented with AF. The TTT of the AF group was significantly longer (23.8 ± 5.2 s) than that of the non-AF group (18.7 ± 2.8 s); p < 0.001. The AS of the bolus-tracking graph of the AF group was 0.80 ± 0.24, which was significantly lower than that of the non-AF group 1.38 ± 0.21 (p < 0.001). TTT was associated with a significantly higher risk of AF (odds ratio [OR]: 1.36; p < 0.001) and elevated LAP (OR: 1.46; p < 0.001). In contrast, the AS of the bolus-tracking graph was not significantly associated with either AF or an elevated LAP. CONCLUSION TTT derived from bolus-tracking carotid CTA is an effective adjuvant tool for detecting AF related to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and elevated LAP, confirmed using echocardiography. KEY POINTS • Atrial fibrillation is not only a significant cause of ischemic stroke but is also often masked because of its atypical and asymptomatic features. • The total tracking time, derived from bolus tracking of carotid computed tomography angiography, may be an effective adjuvant tool for detecting undiagnosed atrial fibrillation and elevated left atrial pressure in patients.
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Andrade JG, Shah A, Godin R, Lanitis T, Kongnakorn T, Brown L, Dhanda D, Dhamane A, Nault I. Cost-effectiveness of atrial fibrillation screening in Canadian community practice. Heart Rhythm O2 2023; 4:103-110. [PMID: 36873310 PMCID: PMC9975014 DOI: 10.1016/j.hroo.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Contemporary guidelines recommend opportunistic screening for atrial fibrillation (AF). Objective The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of single time point opportunistic AF screening for patients 65 years and older by using the single-lead electrocardiogram. Methods An established Markov cohort model was adapted by updating the background mortality estimates, epidemiology, screening efficacy, treatment patterns, resource use, and cost inputs to reflect a Canadian health care setting. Inputs were derived from a contemporary prospective screening study performed in Canadian primary care settings (screening efficacy and epidemiology) and the published literature (unit costs, epidemiology, mortality, utility, and treatment efficacy). The impact of screening and oral anticoagulant treatment on the cost and clinical outcomes was analyzed. A Canadian payer perspective over lifetime was used for analysis, with costs expressed in 2019 Canadian dollars. Results Among the estimated screening-eligible population of 2,929,301 patients, the screening cohort identified an additional 127,670 AF cases compared with the usual care cohort. The model estimated avoidance of 12,236 strokes and incremental quality-adjusted life-years of 59,577 (0.02 per patient) over lifetime in the screening cohort. Cost savings were substantial because of improved health outcomes, reflecting screening being the dominant strategy (affordable and effective). Model results were robust across sensitivity and scenario analyses. Conclusion Single time point opportunistic screening of AF using a single-lead electrocardiogram device in Canadian patients 65 years and older without known AF may provide improved health outcomes with cost savings from the perspective of a single payer health care environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason G Andrade
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Center for Cardiovascular Innovation, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.,Montreal Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Giskes K, Lowres N, Orchard J, Li J, McKenzie K, Hespe CM, Freedman B. Increasing screening for atrial fibrillation in general practice: the Atrial Fibrillation Self-Screening, Management And guideline-Recommended Therapy (AF Self-SMART) study. Med J Aust 2023; 218:27-32. [PMID: 36494186 PMCID: PMC10107341 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether atrial fibrillation (AF) self-screening stations in general practice waiting rooms improve AF screening, diagnosis, and stroke risk management. DESIGN, SETTING Intervention study (planned duration: twelve weeks) in six New South Wales general practices (two in rural locations, four in greater metropolitan Sydney), undertaken during 28 August 2020 - 5 August 2021. PARTICIPANTS People aged 65 years or more who had not previously been diagnosed with AF, and had appointments for face-to-face GP consultations. People with valvular AF were excluded. INTERVENTION AF self-screening station and software, integrated with practice electronic medical record programs, that identified and invited participation by eligible patients, and exported single-lead electrocardiograms and automated evaluations to patients' medical records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Screening rate; incidence of newly diagnosed AF during intervention and pre-intervention periods; prescribing of guideline-recommended anticoagulant medications. RESULTS Across the six participating practices, 2835 of 7849 eligible patients (36.1%) had face-to-face GP appointments during the intervention period, of whom 1127 completed AF self-screening (39.8%; range by practice: 12-74%). AF was diagnosed in 49 screened patients (4.3%), 44 of whom (90%) had CHA2 DS2 -VA scores of 2 or more (high stroke risk). The incidence of newly diagnosed AF during the pre-intervention period was 11 cases per 1000 eligible patients; during the intervention period, it was 22 per 1000 eligible patients (screen-detected: 17 per 1000 eligible patients; otherwise detected: 4.6 per 1000 eligible patients). Prescribing of oral anticoagulation therapy for people newly diagnosed with AF and high stroke risk was similar during the pre-intervention (20 of 24, 83%) and intervention periods (46 of 54, 85%). CONCLUSIONS AF self-screening in general practice waiting rooms is a feasible approach to increasing AF screening and diagnosis rates by reducing time barriers to screening by GPs. AF self-screening could reduce the number of AF-related strokes. TRIAL REGISTRATION Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12620000233921 (prospective).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Giskes
- Heart Research Institute, the University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW.,The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, NSW
| | - Nicole Lowres
- Heart Research Institute, the University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW.,Charles Perkins Centre, the University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
| | | | - JiaLin Li
- Heart Research Institute, the University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
| | - Kirsty McKenzie
- Heart Research Institute, the University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
| | | | - Ben Freedman
- Heart Research Institute, the University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
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Boriani G, Guerra F, De Ponti R, D'Onofrio A, Accogli M, Bertini M, Bisignani G, Forleo GB, Landolina M, Lavalle C, Notarstefano P, Ricci RP, Zanotto G, Palmisano P, De Bonis S, Pangallo A, Talarico A, Maglia G, Aspromonte V, Nigro G, Bianchi V, Rapacciuolo A, Ammendola E, Solimene F, Stabile G, Biffi M, Ziacchi M, Malpighi PSO, Saporito D, Casali E, Turco V, Malavasi VL, Vitolo M, Imberti JF, Bertini M, Anna AS, Zardini M, Placci A, Quartieri F, Bottoni N, Carinci V, Barbato G, De Maria E, Borghi A, Ramazzini OB, Bronzetti G, Tomasi C, Boggian G, Virzì S, Sassone B, Corzani A, Sabbatani P, Pastori P, Ciccaglioni A, Adamo F, Scaccia A, Spampinato A, Patruno N, Biscione F, Cinti C, Pignalberi C, Calò L, Tancredi M, Di Belardino N, Ricciardi D, Cauti F, Rossi P, Cardinale M, Ansalone G, Narducci ML, Pelargonio G, Silvetti M, Drago F, Santini L, Pentimalli F, Pepi P, Caravati F, Taravelli E, Belotti G, Rordorf R, Mazzone P, Bella PD, Rossi S, Canevese LF, Cilloni S, Doni LA, Vergara P, Baroni M, Perna E, Gardini A, Negro R, Perego GB, Curnis A, Arabia G, Russo AD, Marchese P, Dell’Era G, Occhetta E, Pizzetti F, Amellone C, Giammaria M, Devecchi C, Coppolino A, Tommasi S, Anselmino M, Coluccia G, Guido A, Rillo M, Palamà Z, Luzzi G, Pellegrino PL, Grimaldi M, Grandinetti G, Vilei E, Potenza D, Scicchitano P, Favale S, Santobuono VE, Sai R, Melissano D, Candida TR, Bonfantino VM, Di Canda D, Gianfrancesco D, Carretta D, Pisanò ECL, Medico A, Giaccari R, Aste R, Murgia C, Nissardi V, Sanna GD, Firetto G, Crea P, Ciotta E, Sgarito G, Caramanno G, Ciaramitaro G, Faraci A, Fasheri A, Di Gregorio L, Campsi G, Muscio G, Giannola G, Padeletti M, Del Rosso A, Notarstefano P, Nesti M, Miracapillo G, Giovannini T, Pieragnoli P, Rauhe W, Marini M, Guarracini F, Ridarelli M, Fedeli F, Mazza A, Zingarini G, Andreoli C, Carreras G, Zorzi A, Zanotto G, Rossillo A, Ignatuk B, Zerbo F, Molon G, Fantinel M, Zanon F, Marcantoni L, Zadro M, Bevilacqua M. Five waves of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy: results of a national survey evaluating the impact on activities related to arrhythmias, pacing, and electrophysiology promoted by AIAC (Italian Association of Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing). Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:137-149. [PMID: 36352300 PMCID: PMC9646282 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-022-03140-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The subsequent waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy had a major impact on cardiac care. METHODS A survey to evaluate the dynamic changes in arrhythmia care during the first five waves of COVID-19 in Italy (first: March-May 2020; second: October 2020-January 2021; third: February-May 2021; fourth: June-October 2021; fifth: November 2021-February 2022) was launched. RESULTS A total of 127 physicians from arrhythmia centers (34% of Italian centers) took part in the survey. As compared to 2019, a reduction in 40% of elective pacemaker (PM), defibrillators (ICD), and cardiac resynchronization devices (CRT) implantations, with a 70% reduction for ablations, was reported during the first wave, with a progressive and gradual return to pre-pandemic volumes, generally during the third-fourth waves, slower for ablations. For emergency procedures (PM, ICD, CRT, and ablations), recovery from the initial 10% decline occurred in most cases during the second wave, with some variability. However, acute care for atrial fibrillation, electrical cardioversions, and evaluations for syncope showed a prolonged reduction of activity. The number of patients with devices which started remote monitoring increased by 40% during the first wave, but then the adoption of remote monitoring declined. CONCLUSIONS The dramatic and profound derangement in arrhythmia management that characterized the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic was followed by a progressive return to the volume of activities of the pre-pandemic periods, even if with different temporal dynamics and some heterogeneity. Remote monitoring was largely implemented during the first wave, but full implementation is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Boriani
- Cardiology Division, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Policlinico di Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41121, Modena, Italy.
| | - Federico Guerra
- Cardiology and Arrhythmology Clinic, Marche Polytechnic University, University Hospital Umberto I-Lancisi-Salesi, Ancona, Italy
| | - Roberto De Ponti
- Department of Heart and Vessels, Ospedale di Circolo-University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Antonio D'Onofrio
- Departmental Unit of Electrophysiology, Evaluation and Treatment of Arrhythmias, Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Bertini
- Cardiology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Ferrara "Arcispedale S. Anna", Cona, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanni Bisignani
- Cardiology Division, Castrovillari Hospital, ASP Cosenza, Castrovillari, Italy
| | | | | | - Carlo Lavalle
- Department of Cardiology, Policlinico Universitario Umberto I, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Gabriele Zanotto
- Department of Cardiology, Mater Salutis Hospital, Legnago, Verona, Italy
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Yao Y, Li Z, He Y, Zhang Y, Guo Z, Lei Y, Zhao Q, Li D, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Liao X. Factors affecting wearable ECG device adoption by general practitioners for atrial fibrillation screening: cross-sectional study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1128127. [PMID: 37213597 PMCID: PMC10196261 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1128127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a challenging cardiovascular disease worldwide. Wearable electrocardiograph devices (WEDs) have great potential to improve the detection rate of AF in primary care. However, the factors that influence general practitioners' (GPs) perception and acceptance of WEDs are not well understood. To identify factors that influence the intention of GPs to utilize WEDs in a clinical setting to screen patients for AF. Method The research hypotheses and questionnaire items were designed and developed based on the unified theory of acceptance and technology (UTAUT) framework. We used stratified sampling and obtained the data through an online survey. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the collected data.Results: A total of 1,004 valid questionnaires from GPs across Sichuan province in China were collected. Three factors increased GPs' intention to utilize WEDs to screen patients for AF, including performance expectancy (β = 0.121, p = 0.004), social influence (β = 0.356, p < 0.001), and price perception (β = 0.587, p < 0.001). Perception risk (β = -0.059, p < 0.001) decreased usage intention, while effort expectancy (β = -0.079, p = 0.155) and facilitating conditions (β = -0.014, p = 0.868) did not affect usage intention. Gender (β = -0.022, p = 0.179), age (β = 0.006, p = 0.699), education level (β = -0.22, p = 0.184) and training (β = 0.007, p = 0.69) were not significantly correlated with usage intention, and these four factors had no moderating effect on the path coefficients. Discussion GPs' intention to utilize WEDs is affected by performance expectancy, price perception, perception risk and social influence. Researcher should improve the usability and perception of WEDs for screening and carry out studies to provide high-quality evidence for the security and efficacy of wearable devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yao
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhichao Li
- Day Surgery Center, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi He
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Chengdu Seventh People Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Yalin Zhang
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhaoxia Guo
- Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Lei
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dongze Li
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Laboratory of Emergency Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Chengdu Shuangliu District Xihanggang Community Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Yonggang Zhang
- Department of Periodical Press and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Yonggang Zhang,
| | - Xiaoyang Liao
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoyang Liao,
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Vermunicht P, Grecu M, Deharo JC, Buckley CM, Palà E, Mairesse GH, Farkowski MM, Bergonti M, Pürerfellner H, Hanson CL, Neubeck L, Freedman B, Witt H, Hills MT, Lund J, Giskes K, Engler D, Schnabel RB, Heidbuchel H, Desteghe L. General practitioners' perceptions on opportunistic single-time point screening for atrial fibrillation: A European quantitative survey. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1112561. [PMID: 36873407 PMCID: PMC9975716 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1112561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is no clear guidance on how to implement opportunistic atrial fibrillation (AF) screening in daily clinical practice. Objectives This study evaluated the perception of general practitioners (GPs) about value and practicalities of implementing screening for AF, focusing on opportunistic single-time point screening with a single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) device. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a survey developed to assess overall perception concerning AF screening, feasibility of opportunistic single-lead ECG screening and implementation requirements and barriers. Results A total of 659 responses were collected (36.1% Eastern, 33.4% Western, 12.1% Southern, 10.0% Northern Europe, 8.3% United Kingdom & Ireland). The perceived need for standardized AF screening was rated as 82.7 on a scale from 0 to 100. The vast majority (88.0%) indicated no AF screening program is established in their region. Three out of four GPs (72.1%, lowest in Eastern and Southern Europe) were equipped with a 12-lead ECG, while a single-lead ECG was less common (10.8%, highest in United Kingdom & Ireland). Three in five GPs (59.3%) feel confident ruling out AF on a single-lead ECG strip. Assistance through more education (28.7%) and a tele-healthcare service offering advice on ambiguous tracings (25.2%) would be helpful. Preferred strategies to overcome barriers like insufficient (qualified) staff, included integrating AF screening with other healthcare programs (24.9%) and algorithms to identify patients most suitable for AF screening (24.3%). Conclusion GPs perceive a strong need for a standardized AF screening approach. Additional resources may be required to have it widely adopted into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulien Vermunicht
- Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.,Research Group Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mihaela Grecu
- Electrophysiology Department, Cardiovascular Diseases Institute, Iasi, Romania
| | - Jean-Claude Deharo
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Marseille and Aix Marseille Université, C2VN, Marseille, France
| | | | - Elena Palà
- Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) - Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Michal M Farkowski
- II Department of Heart Arrhythmia, National Institute of Cardiology, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Marco Bergonti
- Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.,Research Group Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Coral L Hanson
- School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Lis Neubeck
- School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Freedman
- Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Charles Perkins Centre and Concord Hospital Cardiology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | | | - Jenny Lund
- Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Katrina Giskes
- Heart Research Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of General Practice, School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Daniel Engler
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Renate B Schnabel
- Department of Cardiology, University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hein Heidbuchel
- Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.,Research Group Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Faculty of Medicine and Life Science, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Lien Desteghe
- Department of Cardiology, Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.,Research Group Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.,Faculty of Medicine and Life Science, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.,Heart Center Hasselt, Jessa Hospital, Hasselt, Belgium
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Proietti M. Natural history of 'silent' atrial fibrillation from subclinical to asymptomatic: State of the art and need for research. Eur J Intern Med 2023; 107:27-29. [PMID: 36404262 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2022.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Proietti
- Division of Subacute Care, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Via Camaldoli 64, Milan 20138, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Liverpool Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences at University of Liverpool, John Moores University and Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
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Li PWC, Yu DSF, Yan BP, Hendriks JM, Wong CWY, Chan BS. Psychometric Validation of the Chinese Version of the Atrial Fibrillation Knowledge Scale in Chinese Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. J Cardiovasc Nurs 2023; 38:92-100. [PMID: 34935741 DOI: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Assessment of patients' knowledge on atrial fibrillation (AF) and its management is important for evaluating their learning needs. However, a validated and comprehensive instrument to be used among Chinese patients is yet to be developed. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to develop and validate the Chinese version of the Atrial Fibrillation Knowledge Scale (AFKS-C) in Chinese patients. METHODS The 11-item AFKS was translated, and then content and face validations were conducted by an expert panel and patients with AF. A sample of 255 patients with AF was recruited from a university-affiliated hospital to evaluate its psychometric properties. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability were evaluated using the Kuder-Richardson formula 20 and κ statistics. Item analysis determined the item difficulty index and item discrimination coefficients. Factorial and discriminant validity were evaluated using exploratory factor analysis and the known-groups method. RESULTS The content validity index of the AFKS-C was 0.94, and the Kuder-Richardson formula 20 value was 0.60. The difficulty indices of the items ranged from 0.36 to 0.89, and the point-biserial coefficients of the items ranged from 0.122 to 0.255, indicating sufficient discriminatory ability. The test-retest reliability was acceptable, because the κ values ranged from 0.234 to 0.710. The principal axis factoring analysis indicated a 3-factor structure that explained 50.4% of the total variance. The AFKS-C also demonstrated satisfactory discriminant validity, having yielded significantly different scores between patients with newly diagnosed and established AF. CONCLUSION The AFKS-C has acceptable psychometric properties and can be used to measure the knowledge of patients and evaluate the effects of patient education programs.
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Pitman BM, Chew SH, Wong CX, Jaghoori A, Iwai S, Lyrtzis E, Lim M, Chew RR, Chew A, Sanders P, Lau DH. Prevalence and risk factors for atrial fibrillation in a semi-rural sub-Saharan African population: The hEart oF ethiopia: Focus on Atrial Fibrillation (TEFF-AF) Study. Heart Rhythm O2 2022; 3:839-46. [PMID: 36589000 DOI: 10.1016/j.hroo.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is a scarcity of reported data on the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in sub-Saharan Africa. Objectives To undertake AF screening in semi-rural Ethiopia. Methods The TEFF-AF (The hEart oF Ethiopia: Focus on Atrial Fibrillation) study conducted AF screening using a single-lead electrocardiogram device (KardiaMobile) on willing community participants at the Soddo Christian Hospital, Ethiopia. Participants' clinical parameters and medical history were obtained to characterize their risk factor profile, including calculation of CHARGE-AF (Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology Atrial Fibrillation) score. Results A total of 3000 Ethiopians (median 31 [interquartile range 25-41] years of age; 65% men) were screened. The participants were generally well educated, from the local region and with a low burden of cardiovascular risk factors. A total of 50 participants had a CHARGE-AF score (5-year AF risk) of ≥2%. AF was detected in 13 (0.43%) individuals (median 50 [interquartile range 36-60] years of age; n = 7 men). The prevalence among participants over 40 years of age was 1% (n = 9 of 930). AF prevalence was higher for older age groups, with ≥70 years of age reaching 6.67% (n = 3 of 45). Population prevalence was estimated to be 234 (95% confidence interval 7-460) per 10,000 persons for ≥60 years of age. Four (31%) of the 13 participants with AF had a CHA2DS2-VASc (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥75 years, diabetes mellitus, prior stroke or transient ischemic attack or thromboembolism, vascular disease, age 65-74 years, sex category) score of ≥2, and others likely had rheumatic valvular AF, but only 2 of the 13 participants with AF were on oral anticoagulation therapy. Conclusion In this semi-rural Ethiopian community of relatively younger participants, AF prevalence was found to be low but increased with increasing age. Mobile single-lead electrocardiogram technology can be used effectively for AF screening in low-resource settings.
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