Wed, 03.06.2026

SKY AF Summit 2026 provides important insights

On May 27, 2026, the SKY AF Summit took place in Frankfurt am Main as an in-person event with an accompanying livestream. The international scientific conference was held under the patronage of AFNET and the DGK.

Leading experts in cardiology, electrophysiology, and cardiac surgery discussed current advances in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. The focus was on new study data, innovative technologies, and translational approaches to the further development of modern therapeutic concepts.

The scientific program covered the entire therapeutic spectrum—from oral anticoagulation and stroke prevention to modern ablation and hybrid procedures, and on to future developments in device-based therapy. A particular emphasis was placed on the significance of comorbidities such as heart failure, metabolic disorders, and renal dysfunction for clinical outcomes.

The SKY AF Summit 2026 underscored the importance of close collaboration between research and clinical practice. The event’s goal was to accelerate the translation of scientific evidence into clinical care and to further strengthen international dialogue in the field of cardiac rhythm medicine.

Participants at SKY AF SUMMIT

Fr., 29.05.2026

Herzenssache Lebenszeit

The public awareness campaign “Herzenssache Lebenszeit” made a successful stop at Paderborn’s Town Hall Square. Together with partners, AFNET employees provided information on heart health, atrial fibrillation and prevention. Many visitors took advantage of the free health screenings and the opportunity to speak with experts in person.

“Herzenssache Lebenszeit” will continue to make stops in many other cities.

Is the tour coming to your area? You can find all the stops and more information here:

Stationen der Info-Tour | Herzenssache Lebenszeit

To raise awareness of the “Fan Beats” project, organized in partnership with SC Paderborn, a goal-shooting game was set up where participants could win small prizes—after all, it was all about having fun.

Left: Dr. Lutz Mahlke (Team physician for SC Paderborn); Right: Prof. Dr. Andreas Götte (AFNET)

Fr., 24.04.2026

AI-driven analysis of atrial fibrillation burden in pacemaker patients reveals no effect of AF burden on stroke

Press release

An analysis of the NOAH – AFNET 6 trial used large language models to extract AF burden from pacemaker data in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation. This approach enables to evaluate the impact of AF burden on cardiovascular outcome and on the effectiveness and safety of anticoagulation in pacemaker patients. The AF burden in the population was 0.4%, with 20% of patients showing a baseline AF burden of more than 1%. In these patients, there was no effect of AF burden on stroke or other cardiovascular events. Today, the findings were presented by AFNET board member Prof. Ulrich Schotten, Maastricht, as a hotline at the Heart Rhythm congress 2026 in Chicago (1).

Patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation (DDAF) have a lower risk of stroke than patients with ECG-diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) and comparable stroke risk factors. AF burden – the amount of time a patient spends in AF – has emerged as an important factor linked to stroke risk and outcomes, yet it remains difficult to capture at scale in clinical research and practice.  

The primary analysis of NOAH – AFNET 6 (Non vitamin K antagonist Oral anticoagulants in patients with Atrial High-rate episodes), an investigator-initiated trial conducted by the AFNET, revealed: In patients with DDAF, anticoagulation slightly reduces the relatively low risk of stroke but also increases the risk of major bleeding. The trial was terminated early due to the expected increase in bleeding events in patients with DDAF while the stroke preventing effect was smaller than expected. The weak effects of anticoagulation were also found in several subgroups. (2-10)

This substudy of NOAH – AFNET 6 shows that AI-driven models using natural language processing can reliably automatically extract AF burden information from routine pacemaker reports supporting more individualized risk assessment and helping clinicians make more informed decisions about therapies such as anticoagulation. This approach was applied to NOAH – AFNET 6 to better understand how AF burden relates to clinical outcomes and response to the anticoagulant edoxaban.

Researchers analysed 11,964 pacemaker reports from 2,534 patients with device-detected AF enrolled in NOAH – AFNET 6. AF burden or mode switch burden was successfully identified in more than 70% of reports, demonstrating broad applicability to real-world data. The large language model-extracted AF burden was identical to manual review in more than 98% in a validation subcohort. In addition, AF burden and mode switch burden showed high concordance, reinforcing the reliability of device-based measures. Across the study population, baseline AF burden remained low, highlighting the importance of more precise measurement to better understand patient risk and treatment response.

The baseline AF burden was then correlated to cardiovascular events during 19 months median follow-up in the NOAH – AFNET 6 trial. Baseline AF burden did not modify thrombo-embolic risk, with low rates of stroke even in the small number of patients with a high AF burden. AF burden did not interact with the effectiveness of anticoagulation therapy in this detailed analysis. As expected, anticoagulation increased the risk of bleeding and death independent of AF burden.

“With atrial fibrillation on the rise worldwide, we must find better ways to leverage the latest technology to better understand not just whether patients have atrial fibrillation, but how much it affects them over time,” says Prof. Schotten, lead author and presenter of the data in Chicago. “This AI-driven large language model approach allows us to unlock meaningful insights from data we already collect and use them to advance research and improve patient care.”

“These results highlight the need to determine the effects of low-burden AF on stroke risk. The signal from this robust analysis is clear: A low AF burden translates into a low stroke risk. We need similar analyses in larger data sets to define which AF burden justifies anticoagulation therapy, and which burden requires rhythm control therapy. Together with international partners, we started to combine relevant data sets earlier this year (www.afburden.org)” states Paulus Kirchhof, the senior author of the analysis.

References

(1) Schotten U et al. Distribution of atrial fibrillation burden, relation to outcomes, and effectiveness and safety of anticoagulation based on device reports: The NOAH-AFNET 6 trial. 2026. HRS congress abstract

(2) Kirchhof P, Toennis T, Goette A, et al. Anticoagulation with Edoxaban in Patients with Atrial High-Rate Episodes. N Engl J Med 2023; 389:1167-1179. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa2303062.

(3) Toennis T, Bertaglia E, Brandes A, et al. The influence of Atrial High Rate Episodes on Stroke and Cardiovascular Death – An update. Europace. 2023 Jul 4;25(7). DOI:10.1093/europace/euad166.

(4) Becher N, Toennis T, Bertaglia E, et al. Anticoagulation with edoxaban in patients with long Atrial High-Rate Episodes ≥24 hours. Eur Heart J. 2024 Mar 7;45(10):837-849. DOI:10.1093/eurheartj/ehad771

(5) Lip YH, Nikorowitsch J, Sehner S et al. Oral anticoagulation in device-detected atrial fibrillation: effects of age, sex, cardiovascular comorbidities, and kidney function on outcomes in the NOAH-AFNET 6 trial. Eur Heart J. 2024 April 9. DOI:10.1093/eurheartj/ehae225

(6) Diener HC, Becher N, Sehner S, Toennis T et al. Anticoagulation in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation with and without a prior stroke or transient ischemic attack. The NOAH-AFNET 6 trial. J Am Heart Assoc. 2024 Sep 3;13(17):e036429. DOI:10.1161/JAHA.124.036429

(7) McIntyre WF, Benz AP, Becher N, et al. Direct Oral Anticoagulants for Stroke Prevention in Patients with Device-Detected Atrial Fibrillation: A Study-Level Meta-Analysis of the NOAH-AFNET 6 and ARTESiA Trials. Circulation. 2024 Mar 26;149(13):981-988. DOI:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.067512

(8) Schnabel RB, Benezet-Mazuecos J, Becher N, McIntyre WF et al. Anticoagulation in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation with and without concomitant vascular disease – A combined secondary analysis of the NOAH-AFNET 6 and ARTESiA trials. Eur Heart J. 2024 Dec 7;45(46):4902-4916. DOI:10.1093/eurheartj/ehae596

(9) Becher N, Koellner G, Blomstrom-Lundqvist C, Camm AJ et al. Effects of anticoagulation in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation and multiple stroke risk factors: A Win Ratio analysis of the NOAH-AFNET 6 trial. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. 2025 Dec 19;11(8):1351-1358. DOI:10.1093/ehjqcco/qcaf087

(10) Goette A, Lemoine MD, Fierenz A et al. Kidney disease increases the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation: NOAH-AFNET 6. Europace. 2026. DOI:10.1093/europace/euag083

About the Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET)

The Atrial Fibrillation NETwork is an interdisciplinary research network comprising scientists and physicians from hospitals and practices dedicated to improving the management of atrial fibrillation through coordinated research in Germany, Europe, and worldwide. Its main objective is to conduct high quality investigator-initiated clinical trials and registries on a national and international level as well as translational research projects. The AFNET continues the long-term activities of the network which has been funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education over a decade. Since January 2015, specific projects and infrastructures of the AFNET are funded by the German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), and some projects by EU research grants. AFNET has long expertise in the management of atrial fibrillation, but also provides support for work in other fields informing cardiovascular care. The results of 20 years of clinical and translational research improved the lives of patients with cardiovascular diseases and influenced treatment guidelines.

https://www.af-net.eu

Funding of the NOAH trial: AFNET, DZHK, Daiichi Sankyo. This analysis was partially funded by the European Union AF-B-STEP (grant agreement 101252780, www.afburden.org).

NOAH registration: NCT 02618577, ISRCTN 17309850

Press Contact

Angelika Leute, PhD
Phone: +49 202 2623395
a.leute@t-online.de

Mo, 20.04.2026

3rd AFNET DGK Young Investigator Award – Atrial Fibrillation 2026

Once again, four young scientists were honored with the AFNET-sponsored “DGK AFNET Young Investigator Award” for their current research on atrial fibrillation. AFNET Board Member and this year’s DGK Conference President Prof. Dr. Stephan Willems congratulated the award recipients during the award ceremony on April 10, 2026 at the DGK Annual Congress.

DGK-AFNET Young Investigator Award – Atrial Fibrillation

From left to right: Prof. Dr. Stephan Willems, 2nd place winner Felicitas Lemmer, Prof. Dr. Larissa Fabritz, 1st place winner Vivien Weisheit, 2nd place winner Christian Gold, Prof. Dr. Stefan Blankenberg (not in the picture: 2nd place winner Julian Segolsson) (©DGK/Thomas Hauss)

Read more

Mo, 20.04.2026

3rd AFNET Lecture Award 2026

As part of the “23 Years of AFNET” session, Prof. Steinbeck presented the AFNET Lecture titled „EP studies revisited” For his long-standing commitment, he received this year’s DGK-AFNET Lecture Award, which was presented for the third time. Prof. Sinner presented the results of the 10th AFNET-EHRA Consensus Conference.

DGK-AFNET Lecture on Arrhythmias Award

From left to right: Prof. Dr. Renate Schnabel, Prof. Dr. Reza Wakili, award recipient Prof. Dr. Gerhard Steinbeck, Dr. Ines Gröner, Prof. Dr. Paulus Kirchhof (©DGK/Thomas Hauss) (©DGK/Thomas Hauss)

The entire session “23 Years of AFNET: Current AF Therapy – Rhythm Control and Prevention of Thromboembolism” was recorded.

Laudatory by Prof. Ravens and Prof. Steinbeck, followed by his presentation“AFNET Lecture: EP studies revisited”

Prof. Moritz Sinner with his presentation “Outcomes of the 10th AFNET EHRA Consensus Paper”

Prof. Ingo Eitel with his presentation “Interventional stroke prevention in AF”

Fr, 17.04.2026

AFNET at the DGK Annual Conference 2026

Once again AFNET was present at the 2026 DGK Annual Meeting with a wide range of presentations and events.

The annual general meeting provided a comprehensive overview of the office’s current activities and developments. In addition to reports on ongoing projects and strategic priorities, the focus was on the regular election of the steering committee. We warmly welcome the newly elected members for the 2026–2030 term:

• Prof. Constanze Schmidt (Göttingen, DE)
• PD Dr. Verena Tscholl (Berlin, DE)
• Prof. Antonia Zapf (Hamburg, DE)

AFNET study meetings as well as other meetings in which AFNET served as a partner were held. Together with the DZHK, AFNET had a joint booth, providing a central hub for professional exchange and networking on site.

Tu., 14. April 2026

EHRA Congress 2026

At the EHRA 2026 Congress in Paris on 13 April 2026, Prof. Dr. Andreas Götte presented the results of “Kidney disease increases the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation: NOAH-AFNET 6.”

The manuscript is available here:
https://academic.oup.com/europace/advance-article/doi/10.1093/europace/euag083/8652924

For more information, please read the AFNET press release:
https://www.af-net.eu/nierenerkrankungen-erhoehen-das-risiko-fuer-kardiovaskulaere-ereignisse-bei-device-detektiertem-vorhofflimmern/

Mo., 13.04.2026

Kidney disease increases the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation

Press release

A prespecified analysis of the NOAH – AFNET 6 trial investigated the impact of kidney function on cardiovascular outcome in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation. Today, the findings were presented by AFNET board member Prof. Andreas Goette, St. Vincenz Hospital, Paderborn, Germany, at the annual congress of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) in Paris and published in the EP Europace journal (1,2).

Patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation (DDAF) have a lower risk of stroke than patients with ECG-diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) and comparable stroke risk factors. Reduced kidney function is associated with higher rates of stroke and cardiovascular events in patients with AF. Whether chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects the cardiovascular treatment effects of anticoagulation in patients with DDAF is still an open question.

NOAH – AFNET 6 (Non vitamin K antagonist Oral anticoagulants in patients with Atrial High-rate episodes), an investigator-initiated trial conducted by the AFNET, was terminated early due to the expected increase in bleeding events in patients with DDAF while the stroke preventing effect was smaller than expected. The main trial found that patients with DDAF have a low risk of stroke without anticoagulation. Oral anticoagulation slightly reduces the risk of stroke further but also increases the
risk of major bleeding. The weak effects of anticoagulation were also found in several subgroups. (3-10)

Kidney disease has been suggested as a marker for an increased stroke risk in patients with AF. This prespecified NOAH – AFNET 6 analysis compared anticoagulation with edoxaban treatment with no anticoagulation in 2534 patients with DDAF at various stages of chronic kidney disease defined according to the 2024 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) criteria.

Primary outcome events (a composite of stroke, systemic embolism, or cardiovascular death) increased with increasing severity of CKD, which was driven by higher rates of cardiovascular death and systemic embolic events. Total stroke rate was low across all CKD stages. Safety events (major bleeding or death) also increased with increasing severity of CKD, with more major bleeding than death.

Prof. Goette explained: “Our analysis showed that age and kidney function are the strongest predictors of cardiovascular events, in particular cardiovascular death, in patients with DDAF and clinical stroke risk factors. The results also demonstrate that the approved dose of edoxaban retains its effectiveness across the spectrum of kidney functions tested.”

Prof. Paulus Kirchhof, AFNET board chair and principal investigator of the NOAH – AFNET 6 trial, stated: “This exploratory analysis suggests that the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a widely available blood biomarker, could be useful to refine thromboembolic risk estimation in patients with DDAF and reduced kidney function in context with AF burden. Clearly, the findings call for independent, external validation in contemporary patients with DDAF.”

References

(1) Goette A et al. Kidney disease increases the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation: NOAH-AFNET 6. Abstract beim EHRA Kongress 2026

(2) Goette A, Lemoine MD, Fierenz A et al. Kidney disease increases the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation: NOAH-AFNET 6. Europace. 2026. DOI:10.1093/europace/euag083

(3) Kirchhof P, Toennis T, Goette A, et al. Anticoagulation with Edoxaban in Patients with Atrial High-Rate Episodes. N Engl J Med 2023; 389:1167-1179. DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa2303062.

(4) Toennis T, Bertaglia E, Brandes A, et al. The influence of Atrial High Rate Episodes on Stroke and Cardiovascular Death – An update. Europace. 2023 Jul 4;25(7). DOI:10.1093/europace/euad166.

(5) Becher N, Toennis T, Bertaglia E, et al. Anticoagulation with edoxaban in patients with long Atrial High-Rate Episodes ≥24 hours. Eur Heart J. 2024 Mar 7;45(10):837-849. DOI:10.1093/eurheartj/ehad771

(6) Lip YH, Nikorowitsch J, Sehner S et al. Oral anticoagulation in device-detected atrial fibrillation: effects of age, sex, cardiovascular comorbidities, and kidney function on outcomes in the NOAH-AFNET 6 trial. Eur Heart J. 2024 April 9. DOI:10.1093/eurheartj/ehae225

(7) Diener HC, Becher N, Sehner S, Toennis T et al. Anticoagulation in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation with and without a prior stroke or transient ischemic attack. The NOAH-AFNET 6 trial. J Am Heart Assoc. 2024 Sep 3;13(17):e036429. DOI:10.1161/JAHA.124.036429

(8) McIntyre WF, Benz AP, Becher N, et al. Direct Oral Anticoagulants for Stroke Prevention in Patients with Device-Detected Atrial Fibrillation: A Study-Level Meta-Analysis of the NOAH-AFNET 6 and ARTESiA Trials. Circulation. 2024 Mar 26;149(13):981-988. DOI:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.123.067512

(9) Schnabel RB, Benezet-Mazuecos J, Becher N, McIntyre WF et al. Anticoagulation in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation with and without concomitant vascular disease – A combined secondary analysis of the NOAH-AFNET 6 and ARTESiA trials. Eur Heart J. 2024 Dec 7;45(46):4902-4916. DOI:10.1093/eurheartj/ehae596

(10) Becher N, Koellner G, Blomstrom-Lundqvist C, Camm AJ et al. Effects of anticoagulation in patients with device-detected atrial fibrillation and multiple stroke risk factors: A Win Ratio analysis of the NOAH-AFNET 6 trial. Eur Heart J Qual Care Clin Outcomes. 2025 Dec 19;11(8):1351-1358. DOI:10.1093/ehjqcco/qcaf087

About the Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET)

The Atrial Fibrillation NETwork is an interdisciplinary research network comprising scientists and physicians from hospitals and practices dedicated to improving the management of atrial fibrillation through coordinated research in Germany, Europe, and worldwide. Its main objective is to conduct high quality investigator-initiated clinical trials and registries on a national and international level as well as translational research projects. The AFNET continues the long-term activities of the network which has been funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education over a decade. Since January 2015, specific projects and infrastructures of the AFNET are funded by the German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), and some projects by EU research grants. AFNET has long expertise in the management of atrial fibrillation, but also provides support for work in other fields informing cardiovascular care. The results of 20 years of clinical and translational research improved the lives of patients with cardiovascular diseases and influenced treatment guidelines.

https://www.af-net.eu

Funding of the NOAH trial: AFNET, DZHK, Daiichi Sankyo

NOAH registration: NCT 02618577, ISRCTN 17309850

Press Contact

Angelika Leute, PhD
Phone: +49 202 2623395
a.leute@t-online.de

Fr., 20.02.2026

Digital Impulses: Detecting Heart Disease via Smartphone

Can smartphones play a decisive role in advancing personalized cardiology? In the interview series “Digital Impulses,” Larissa Fabritz from the University Heart and Vascular Center Hamburg discusses the possibilities of early cardiological detection using smartphones.

The focus is on applications for detecting atrial fibrillation or heart attacks, as well as the question of how digital technologies can be made practical and independently usable in everyday life – including for older adults.

You can watch the video here (duration: 8 minutes, german only):

Digitalimpulse: Erkennung von Herzerkrankungen per Smartphone

Wed., 4.02.2026

AF-B STEP: Global collaboration to reduce the burden of atrial fibrillation and advance quantification and treatment

Press release

The project will develop uniform standards for how medical devices and consumer technologies from implantable monitors to smartwatches detect and quantify AF and its burden.

Eighteen partners from Europe and Canada have joined forces in this initiative with the aim of fundamentally improving the diagnosis and care of people with AF. AFNET is one of these partners.

New international research project AF-B-STEP will for the first time systematically assess how much time individuals spend in atrial fibrillation (AF) — their AF burden — and determine how this burden affects risks such as stroke, heart failure, and overall quality of life.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects millions of people worldwide – yet the condition is rarely quantified upon diagnosis. The international research project AF-B-STEP aims to change this: for the first time, it will systematically assess how much time individuals spend in AF, expressed as their AF burden, and determine the extent to which the AF burden influences the risk of stroke, heart failure and other aspects of patients´ lives. Furthermore, the project will develop uniform standards for how medical devices (such as cardiac implantable devices or insertable cardiac monitors) and consumer electronics (e.g., smartwatches) quantify AF and its burden. The goal is to fundamentally improve the diagnosis and care of people with AF. 18 partners across Europe and Canada from academia and industry have joined forces for this project, coordinated by the Department of Cardiology at the University Heart and Vascular Center of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) in Hamburg, Germany, and by the Medtronic Bakken Research Center in Maastricht, The Netherlands, as industry lead. The project will be funded over the next four years with a total of approximately 18 million euros by the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) with contributions from both the European Union and industry.

“The results are intended to help physicians make more precise decisions about who needs which treatment based on the AF burden. The goal of AF-B-STEP is to contribute to a measurable reduction in strokes and heart failure in the long term, while simultaneously avoiding unnecessary treatments in people with a low atrial fibrillation burden,” says Prof. Dr. Paulus Kirchhof, Director of the Department of Cardiology at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), AFNET board chair, and coordinator of the AF-B-STEP project (full project title: Quantifying Atrial Fibrillation Burden for Better Screening, Treatment, and HEalth Policy).

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia worldwide and increases the risk of stroke and heart failure. It affects about one-third of people over the age of 55 and accounts for two to three percent of healthcare costs in Europe and North America. Currently, AF is usually diagnosed simply with “yes” or “no,” an therapeutic decisions are also predominantly based on this simple classification. However, patients experience many different patterns and intensities of AF: from rare, short episodes to frequent episodes and chronic forms when AF is present all of the time. The time in AF, the so-called AF burden, has an important impact on symptoms, prognosis, and therapeutic decisions. The risk of stroke, heart failure, hospital admissions and other adverse outcomes increases with a higher AF burden. Implantable cardiac devices and, increasingly, smartwatches, fitness trackers, and other wearable technologies now allow even short and infrequent episodes to be detected. However, a standardised method for accurately quantifying AF burden and precisely assessing the resulting health risks is still lacking. Furthermore, the data collected by implanted and wearable devices are not reported uniformly, which complicates comparisons between different systems.

Analysis of data from more than 100,000 patients worldwide

This is the starting point of AF-B-STEP, which initially compiles and analyzes existing data on AF burden and its health consequences. For this purpose, consortium partners from academia and industry are providing anonymised data from more than 100,000 patients. By linking AF burden with clinical outcomes, it should be possible to precisely calculate its contribution to stroke, heart failure, and cardiovascular death, as well as how AF affects quality of life as well as cardiac and brain function. Together with manufacturers of implantable cardiac devices and wearable technologies, the consortium will also develop standardised methods for recording and displaying AF burden to affected individuals. Ideally, three categories will emerge: low AF burden (no further investigations or therapies required), moderate AF burden (further diagnostics necessary for treatment decisions), and high AF burden (immediate initiation of anticoagulation and rhythm control therapy). Better patient stratification and mechanistic results can then inform future treatment guidelines and strengthen the role of AF burden in treatment decisions.

“By addressing the unmet needs in atrial fibrillation management, this large concerted collaboration will be foundational to help guide future efforts to improve the management of AF globally,” said Dr. Mirko De Melis, Distinguished Clinical Research Advisor at Medtronic Bakken Research Center in Maastricht, The Netherlands and Industry Lead of the AF-B-STEP project.

“While atrial fibrillation burden is widely discussed, its clinical application remains limited by the absence of validated thresholds. AF-B-STEP will address this gap by uniting exceptional datasets, experienced investigators, and industry collaborators to enable the practical use of AF burden in clinical care,” said Dr. William McIntyre, project lead and scientist at the Population Health Research Institute, a joint institute of McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences.

Prof. Dr. Barbara Casadei, Head of the National Heart and Lung Institute at Imperial College London, UK, said: “Atrial fibrillation is a major global health concern, and the numbers – in the millions – continue to increase every year. This project is a landmark opportunity for researchers, scientists and clinicians to seize the initiative and find the best ways to assess, risk-stratify and manage people with the condition. We hope and believe that in four years’ time we will be embarking on a significant step
change in the diagnosis and care of atrial fibrillation.”

“For too long, atrial fibrillation has been treated as a simple ‘yes or no’ condition. AF-B-STEP has the potential to change clinical practice by linking AF burden to meaningful outcomes such as stroke and heart failure, ultimately improving care for millions of patients worldwide,” says Prof. Dr. Helmut Pürerfellner, President of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), an AF-B-STEP partner and a branch of the European Society of Cardiology.

“At BIOTRONIK, we believe that clear, consistent standards for reporting are essential to effectively researching atrial fibrillation burden and ultimately improving patient care. Through our data and scientific expertise, we support the AF-B-STEP project in developing definitions and methodologies that can be broadly applied,” said Dr. Volker Lang, Senior Vice President Research & Development at BIOTRONIK.

“The magnitude, scope and strength of this academic – industry collaboration promises to deliver not only a standardized framework to measure and quantify atrial fibrillation burden, but importantly to link AF burden to serious outcomes. Understanding this relationship between AF burden and outcomes is key to defining clinically meaningful endpoints for future development of much needed treatments in this growing area of disease risk and population burden,” said Dr. Amy Sehnert from
Thryv Therapeutics Inc.

International Consortium

AF-B-STEP is an international research project bringing together university medical centres, industry representatives from the medical device, pharmaceutical, and digital health sectors, international cardiology organisations, patient groups, management and dissemination professionals, and healthcare payers from Europe and Canada.

The partners include:

Kick-off Meeting

The AF-B-STEP Consortium convenes for the first time in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, from 3rd-5th February. The kick-off meeting is intended to motivate the team to coordinate and streamline the work with dedication and a clear purpose – to reduce the global burden of AF and advance its quantification and treatment.

Funding

This project is supported by the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking (IHI JU) under grant agreement No 101252780. The JU receives support from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, COCIR, EFPIA, EuropaBio, MedTech Europe, Vaccines Europe, and from consortium partners Acesion Pharma ApS, Medical Algorithmics, Preventicus GmbH, Thryv Therapeutics Inc., and Withings. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the aforementioned parties. Neither of the aforementioned parties can be held responsible for them.

For more information

For more information on AF-B-STEP, please visit https://afbstep.eu/ or any of the project’s social
media channels: LinkedIn, BlueSky or X. You can also contact the project via email: info@afbstep.eu

About the Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET)

The Atrial Fibrillation NETwork is an interdisciplinary research network comprising scientists and physicians from hospitals and practices dedicated to improving the management of atrial fibrillation through coordinated research in Germany, Europe, and worldwide. Its main objective is to conduct high quality investigator-initiated clinical trials and registries on a national and international level as well as translational research projects. The AFNET continues the long-term activities of the network which has been funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education over a decade. Since January 2015, specific projects and infrastructures of the AFNET are funded by the German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), and some projects by EU research grants. AFNET has long expertise in the management of atrial fibrillation, but also provides support for work in other fields informing cardiovascular care. The results of 20 years of clinical and translational research improved the lives of patients with cardiovascular diseases and influenced treatment guidelines.

https://www.af-net.eu

Press Contact

Angelika Leute, PhD
Phone: +49 202 2623395
a.leute@t-online.de