Thur, 8. October 2026

Heart Seminar of the AF-B-STEP Project and the Heart Center of the University of Cologne

On November 26, 2026, the Heart Center at the University of Cologne, together with the AF-B-STEP project, is inviting you to a heart seminar all about atrial fibrillation. The event is aimed at patients, their families, and anyone interested, and takes place as part of the Heart Weeks organized by the German Heart Foundation.

From 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM, experts will provide information about the development and detection of atrial fibrillation, how to manage the condition in everyday life, and current treatment options. The perspective of those affected will also be shared. After the presentations, there will be opportunities for discussion and questions.

The seminar takes place at the CIO Campus, Building 70, Kerpener Street 62, 50937 Cologne. Attendance is free. The event is led by Prof. Dr. Daniel Steven.

The AF-B-STEP project is supported by the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking (IHI JU) under Grant Agreement No. 101252780.

Brochure for download (german only)

Mo, 28.09.2026

AFNET at the DGK Heart Days 2026

The DGK Heart Days 2026 in Hamburg provided AFNET with a great opportunity to engage in face-to-face discussions with researchers and study partners.

The AFNET team was present throughout the event with an information booth dedicated to the FanBeats project, where visitors could learn more about the project and its activities.

The following day featured four AFNET meetings on the agenda: the Steering Committee meeting, the kick-off meeting for CABA-MiTRA-AFNET 12-DZHK34 and the investigator meetings for the EASThigh-AFNET 11 and CABA-HFPEF-DZHK 27. During these sessions, current developments were discussed, study activities were coordinated and the next steps were jointly agreed upon.

We would like to thank everyone involved for the interesting discussions, the constructive exchange, and the dedicated collaboration.

Meeting impressions

Tue., 22.09.2026

AFNET launched the new CABA-MiTRA-AFNET12-DZHK34 study on September 21, 2026

Press release

Does catheter ablation improve the prognosis for people with atrial fibrillation after mitral valve repair?

The Atrial Fibrillation Network (AFNET) launched the CABA-MiTRA-AFNET12-DZHK34 study. On September 21, 2026, the first participant was enrolled at the University Hospital Cologne.

Mitral valve regurgitation is the most common heart valve disease among older adults. Patients typically undergo catheter-based repair of the defective heart valve. Many of these patients also suffer from atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder that can be treated with medication and catheter ablation. The CABA-MiTRA-AFNET12-DZHK34 study now aims to determine whether patients with atrial fibrillation after mitral valve repair are better protected against strokes and other serious complications through ablation than they are with the standard drug treatment currently in use.

Atrial fibrillation, the most common cardiac arrhythmia, is associated with an increased risk of premature death, stroke, heart failure, and other serious complications. Early initiation of rhythm-control therapy has been shown to be beneficial in reducing the complications associated with atrial fibrillation (1).

Although atrial fibrillation ablation is a well-established technology, it is currently still used relatively rarely in older patients with comorbidities. To date, there have been only a few controlled studies on the efficacy and safety of catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in older adults. In particular, atrial fibrillation ablation after repair of a mitral valve defect has not yet been studied.

CABA-MiTRA stands for Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Severe Mitral Regurgitation after Successful Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair. AFNET Board Member Prof. Stephan Willems of Hamburg, who is leading the CABA-MiTRA-AFNET12-DZHK34 study together with three AFNET Steering Committee members – Prof. Lars Eckardt of Münster, Prof. Daniel Steven of Cologne, and Prof. Reza Wakili of Frankfurt – explains the background:

“Recent findings showed that catheter ablation provides better protection against complications of atrial fibrillation for patients with atrial fibrillation and certain comorbidities than the usual standard treatment. We now want to determine whether this also applies to the specific group of atrial fibrillation patients who have undergone mitral valve repair. To this end, the Atrial Fibrillation Competence Network (AFNET) launched the CABA-MiTRA-AFNET12-DZHK34 study and is now conducting it in collaboration with the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK).“  

To answer the study’s research question, AFNET plans to enroll 956 patients who have atrial fibrillation and have undergone successful mitral valve repair within the past six months. Upon enrollment in the study, all participants will be randomly assigned to one of two equally sized groups, where they will receive either atrial fibrillation ablation or standard guideline-based medical treatment. Approximately 50 hospitals in Germany and Europe are expected to participate in the recruitment and treatment of study patients.

Co-Principal Investigator Prof. Wakili praised the excellent collaboration among all those involved: “CABA-MiTRA-AFNET12-DZHK34 is a team effort. Thanks to the tireless dedication of AFNET and the participating study centers, as well as the fruitful cooperation with the DZHK and our other partners, we have been able to successfully launch the study and enroll our first patient.”

Current data suggest that the complication-preventing effect of early atrial fibrillation ablation is due to a reduction in atrial fibrillation burden. To investigate this relationship, atrial fibrillation burden is also being quantitatively assessed as part of a substudy. To this end, participants at some study sites are being offered the option of having an event recorder implanted, which allows for the precise measurement of atrial fibrillation burden.

“Atrial fibrillation and mitral valve regurgitation frequently occur together in older adults. Not only are these two conditions linked by a complex pathophysiological interaction, but their prevalence is also expected to increase due to the aging population and other factors, such as obesity. Optimal treatment for this patient group is therefore becoming increasingly important,” explains co-principal investigator Prof. Steven.

Co-principal investigator Prof. Eckardt summarizes: “The results of the CABA-MiTRA-AFNET12-DZHK34 study have the potential to improve treatment for people with atrial fibrillation and mitral valve regurgitation. Our study thus has the potential to contribute to healthier aging in this population group, which is at increased risk for premature death, stroke, and heart failure.”

CABA-MiTRA-AFNET12-DZHK34 is an investigator-initiated trial that compares two approved treatment strategies in patients with atrial fibrillation and has no commercial interests. The study is sponsored by AFNET. Financial support for conducting the study is provided by the following partners: German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), German Heart Foundation, Abbott Medical, Boston Scientific, and Biosense Webster / Johnson & Johnson.

References

(1) Kirchhof P et al. Early rhythm control therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med 2020; 383:1305-1316. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2019422

Registration: NCT07380932

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 23 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

Tu, 01.09.2026

AFNET at the 2026 ESC Congress in Munich

The 2026 ESC Congress took place in Munich from 28th to 31st of August 2026. The annual congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) is one of the world’s leading professional events in cardiology. It brings together experts from academia, research and clinical practice from around the globe.

AFNET was also represented at the 2026 ESC Congress. The congress provided a valuable platform for scientific exchange, fostering international collaborations and networking with partners in cardiovascular research.

A particular focus was on the study-related meetings concerning the international research projects EASThigh-AFNET 11, MAESTRIA-AFNET 10, and AF-B-STEP, in which AFNET is actively involved. During these meetings, the current status of the studies, scientific findings and the next steps in the projects were discussed jointly with the international consortia.

The ESC provided an opportunity to learn about current developments in cardiology and innovative approaches to cardiac care.

By participating in the congress, AFNET once again underscored the importance of international collaboration for the further advancement of research on atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmias.

EASThigh-AFNET 11 Investigator Meeting

The ESC Congress – Impressions in pictures

Thu, 02.07.2026

Steering Committee Retreat 2026: Shaping the future of AFNET

On June 29 and 30, 2026, the AFNET Steering Committee gathered in Muenster, Germany for this year’s retreat. The two-day meeting focused on personal exchanges, the strategic development of the network and planning future activities.

The retreat offered Steering Committee members the opportunity to discuss current challenges and opportunities for AFNET, develop new ideas for research and collaboration and define the next steps for the association’s further development. Muenster—which is also home to the AFNET office—provided the ideal setting for this.

In addition to strategic topics, the retreat also focused on in-depth professional exchange and the joint development of new ideas. Participants exchanged views on the network’s future scientific direction, discussed current developments and identified key priorities for AFNET’s future work.

The in-person meeting strengthened cohesion within the committee and laid an important foundation for continued successful collaboration with the AFNET office.

Aftermovie

Mo., June 15th 2026

Steering Committee Retreat 2026

Shaping the future together: As part of this year’s steering committee retreat, committee members will convene in Muenster for two days (from June 29th -30th) to discuss strategic issues, generate new ideas and prepare the next steps in the development of the association.

Muenster is also home to the headquarters of the association, making it an ideal setting for exchange, collaboration and new perspectives.

The event is not open to the public and is intended exclusively for invited participants.

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