AFNET

HISTORY

The Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) was founded in 2003 as one of 21 research networks in Germany funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education (BMBF). Since then, AFNET has developed from a BMBF-funded national research network for health into an internationally recognised, non-profit academic research organisation based in Germany.

AFNET was founded with the aim of combining basic, translational and clinical research to improve the lives of patients with atrial fibrillation. These roots have been the basis for the planning and execution of national and international clinical trials, monitoring research projects, basic and translational research projects, contributions to international research consortia and international consensus conferences.

Milestones during 20 Years of AFNET:

20th anniversary book

2025

10th AFNET / EHRA Consensus Conference in Gressy

Mid 2024

Start of a new IIT: EASThigh – AFNET 11

Since 2024

Annual presentation AFNET Awards in cooperation with the DGK at the DGK Spring Conference:

AFNET DGK Young Investigator Award VHF, AFNET Lecture Award

2023

20 Years of AFNET

Anniversary celebration in Berlin with invited guests from politics, science, industry, hospitals, and medical practices, including patient participation.

Additional anniversary activities as part of public relations efforts.

since 2015

Funding of several EU-projects with involvement of AFNET in international consortia (CATCH ME, AFFECT EU, MAESTRIA – AFNET 10)

2015

All AFNET activities performed under the roof of the association

Central office moved from the University hospital to an innovation campus in Münster
Start of study support (project management) as a partner, e.g. for DZHK studies since 2015

2014-2022

Strategic partnership of AFNET and DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research):

1^st period 2015 – 2018: EAST – AFNET 4, NOAH – AFNET 6, AXAFA – AFNET 5; 2^nd period 2019-2022: EAST – AFNET 4, NOAH – AFNET 6

2011

First international clinical AFNET trial EAST – AFNET 4 as IIT with AFNET association as sponsor

2010-2014

Transition:

BMBF-funded project organisation and the association existed in parallel with identical Board of Directors and Steering Committee

2010

Registration as an Association (independent, not for profit organisation)

2007

First Consensus Conference with the European Heart Rhythm Association in the European Heart House, Sophia Antipolis, France

2004-2006

First AFNET project: Gap AF – AFNET 1

2003

AFNET was founded in 2003 and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education (BMBF)

First Board of Directors: Prof. Günther Breithardt (chair), Prof. Peter Hanrath, Prof. Gerhard Steinbeck, Prof. Thomas Meinertz