| 1. |
- Kirchhof, Paulus, et al.
(författare)
-
Early and comprehensive management of atrial fibrillation : executive summary of the proceedings from the 2nd AFNET-EHRA consensus conference 'research perspectives in AF'
- 2009
-
Ingår i: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 30:24, s. 2969-2977
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) causes important mortality and morbidity on a population-level. So far, we do not have the means to prevent AF or AF-related complications adequately. Therefore, over 70 experts on atrial fibrillation convened for the 2nd AFNET/EHRA consensus conference to suggest directions for research to improve management of AF patients (Appendix 1). The group defined three main areas in need for research in AF: 1. better understanding of the mechanisms of AF; 2. Improving rhythm control monitoring and management; and 3. comprehensive cardiovascular risk management in AF patients. The group put forward the hypothesis that successful therapy of AF and its associated complications will require comprehensive therapy. This applies e.g. to the "old" debate of "rate versus rhythm control", since rhythm control is generally added to underlying (continued) rate control therapy, but also to the emerging debate of "antiarrhythmic drugs versus catheter ablation", of which both may be needed in most patients to maintain sinus rhythm, but also to therapy of conditions that predispose to AF and contribute to cardiovascular complications such as stroke, cognitive decline, heart failure, and acute coronary syndromes. We call for research initiatives aiming at a better understanding of the different causes of AF and its complications, and at development and validation of mechanism-based therapies. The future of AF therapy may require a combination of management of underlying and concomitant conditions, early and comprehensive rhythm control therapy, adequate control of ventricular rate and cardiac function, and continuous therapy to prevent AF-associated complications (e.g. antithrombotic therapy). The reasons for these suggestions are detailed in this paper.
|
|
| 2. |
|
|
| 3. |
- Kirchhof, Paulus, et al.
(författare)
-
Personalized management of atrial fibrillation : Proceedings from the fourth Atrial Fibrillation competence NETwork/European Heart Rhythm Association consensus conference
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 15:11, s. 1540-1556
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The management of atrial fibrillation (AF) has seen marked changes in past years, with the introduction of new oral anticoagulants, new antiarrhythmic drugs, and the emergence of catheter ablation as a common intervention for rhythm control. Furthermore, new technologies enhance our ability to detect AF. Most clinical management decisions in AF patients can be based on validated parameters that encompass type of presentation, clinical factors, electrocardiogram analysis, and cardiac imaging. Despite these advances, patients with AF are still at increased risk for death, stroke, heart failure, and hospitalizations. During the fourth Atrial Fibrillation competence NETwork/European Heart Rhythm Association (AFNET/EHRA) consensus conference, we identified the following opportunities to personalize management of AF in a better manner with a view to improve outcomes by integrating atrial morphology and damage, brain imaging, information on genetic predisposition, systemic or local inflammation, and markers for cardiac strain. Each of these promising avenues requires validation in the context of existing risk factors in patients. More importantly, a new taxonomy of AF may be needed based on the pathophysiological type of AF to allow personalized management of AF to come to full fruition. Continued translational research efforts are needed to personalize management of this prevalent disease in a better manner. All the efforts are expected to improve the management of patients with AF based on personalized therapy.
|
|
| 4. |
- Blomström Lundqvist, Carina, et al.
(författare)
-
The use of imaging for electrophysiological and devices procedures : a report from the first European Heart Rhythm Association Policy Conference, jointly organized with the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI), the Council of Cardiovascular Imaging and the European Society of Cardiac Radiology
- 2013
-
Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 15:7, s. 927-936
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Implantations of cardiac devices therapies and ablation procedures frequently depend on accurate and reliable imaging modalities for pre-procedural assessments, intra-procedural guidance, detection of complications, and the follow-up of patients. An understanding of echocardiography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear cardiology, X-ray computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and vascular ultrasound is indispensable for cardiologists, electrophysiologists as well as radiologists, and it is currently recommended that physicians should be trained in several imaging modalities. There are, however, no current guidelines or recommendations by electrophysiologists, cardiac imaging specialists, and radiologists, on the appropriate use of cardiovascular imaging for selected patient indications, which needs to be addressed. A Policy Conference on the use of imaging in electrophysiology and device management, with representatives from different expert areas of radiology and electrophysiology and commercial developers of imaging and device technologies, was therefore jointly organized by European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), the Council of Cardiovascular Imaging and the European Society of Cardiac Radiology (ESCR). The objectives were to assess the state of the level of evidence and a first step towards a consensus document for currently employed imaging techniques to guide future clinical use, to elucidate the issue of reimbursement structures and health economy, and finally to define the need for appropriate educational programmes to ensure clinical competence for electrophysiologists, imaging specialists, and radiologists.
|
|
| 5. |
- Bongiorni, Maria Grazia, et al.
(författare)
-
The European Lead Extraction ConTRolled (ELECTRa) study : a European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) Registry of Transvenous Lead Extraction Outcomes
- 2017
-
Ingår i: European Heart Journal. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 38:40, s. 2995-3005
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims The European Lead Extraction ConTRolled Registry (ELECTRa), is a prospective registry of consecutive transvenous lead extraction (TLE) procedures conducted by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) in order to identify the safety and efficacy of the current practice of TLE Methods and results European centres performing TLE, invited by the organizing committee on behalf of EHRA, prospectively recruited all consecutive patients undergoing TLE at their institution. The primary endpoint was TLE safety defined by pre-discharge major procedure-related complications including death. Secondary endpoints included clinical and radiological success and overall complication rates. Outcomes were compared between Low Volume (LoV) vs. High Volume (HiV) centers (LoV < 30 and HiV >= 30 procedures/year). A total of 3555 consecutive patients (pts) of whom 3510 underwent TLE at 73 centres in 19 European countries were enrolled between November 2012 and May 2014. The primary endpoint of in-hospital procedure-related major complication rate was 1.7% [95% CI 1.3-2.1%] (58/3510 pts) including a mortality of 0.5% [95% CI 0.3-0.8%] (17/3510 pts). Approximately two-thirds (37/58) of these complications occurred during the procedure and one-third (21/58) in the post-operative period. The most common procedure related complications were those requiring pericardiocentesis or chest tube and/or surgical repair (1.4% [95% CI 1.0-1.8%]). Complete clinical and radiological success rates were 96.7% [95% CI 96.1-97.3%] and 95.7% [95% CI 95.2-96.2%], respectively. The all cause in-hospital major complications and deaths were significantly lower in HiV centres vs. LoV centres (2.4% [95% CI 1.9-3.0%] vs. 4.1% [95% CI 2.7-6.0%], P = 0.0146; and 1.2% [95% CI 0.8-1.6%] vs. 2.5% [95% CI 1.5-4.1%] P = 0.0088), although those related to the procedure did not reach statistical significance. Radiological and clinical successes were more frequent in HiV vs. LoV centres. Conclusion The ELECTRa study is the largest prospective registry on TLE and confirmed the safety and efficacy of the current practice of TLE. Lead extraction was associated with a higher success rate with lower all cause complication and mortality rates in high volume compared with low volume centres.
|
|
| 6. |
|
|
| 7. |
|
|
| 8. |
|
|
| 9. |
- Dickstein, Kenneth, et al.
(författare)
-
European Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Survey II : rationale and design
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 17:1, s. 137-141
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) Survey II is a 6 months snapshot survey initiated by two ESC Associations, the European Heart Rhythm Association and the Heart Failure Association, which is designed to describe clinical practice regarding implantation of CRT devices in a broad sample of hospitals in 47 ESC member countries. The large volume of clinical and demographic data collected should reflect current patient selection, implantation, and follow-up practice and provide information relevant for assessing healthcare resource utilization in connection with CRT. The findings of this survey should permit representative benchmarking both nationally and internationally across Europe.
|
|
| 10. |
|
|
