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- Batra, Gorav, et al.
(author)
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Data standards for atrial fibrillation/flutter and catheter ablation : The European Unified Registries for Heart Care Evaluation and Randomized Trials (EuroHeart)
- 2023
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In: European Heart Journal - Quality of Care and Clinical Outcomes. - : Oxford University Press. - 2058-5225 .- 2058-1742. ; 9:6, s. 609-620
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIMS: Standardized data definitions are essential for monitoring and assessment of care and outcomes in observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The European Unified Registries for Heart Care Evaluation and Randomized Trials (EuroHeart) project of the European Society of Cardiology aimed to develop contemporary data standards for atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF/AFL) and catheter ablation.METHODS AND RESULTS: We used the EuroHeart methodology for development of data standards and formed a Working Group comprising 23 experts in AF/AFL and catheter ablation registries, as well as representatives from the European Heart Rhythm Association and EuroHeart. We conducted a systematic literature review of AF/AFL and catheter ablation registries and data standard documents to generate candidate variables. We used a modified Delphi method to reach consensus on a final variable set. For each variable, the Working Group developed permissible values and definitions, and agreed as to whether the variable was mandatory (Level 1) or additional (Level 2). In total, 70 Level 1 and 92 Level 2 variables were selected and reviewed by a wider Reference Group of 42 experts from 24 countries. The Level 1 variables were implemented into the EuroHeart IT platform as the basis for continuous registration of individual patient data.CONCLUSION: By means of a structured process and working with international stakeholders, harmonized data standards for AF/AFL and catheter ablation for AF/AFL were developed. In context of the EuroHeart project, this will facilitate country-level quality of care improvement, international observational research, registry-based RCTs and post-marketing surveillance of devices and pharmacotherapies.
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| 3. |
- Gorenek, Bulent, et al.
(author)
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Cardiac arrhythmias in acute coronary syndromes : position paper from the joint EHRA, ACCA, and EAPCI task force
- 2014
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In: EuroIntervention. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1774-024X .- 1969-6213. ; 16, s. 1655-1673
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It is known that myocardial ischaemia and infarction leads to severe metabolic and electrophysiological changes that induce silent or symptomatic life-threatening arrhythmias. Sudden cardiac death is most often attributed to this pathophysiology, but many patients survive the early stage of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) reaching a medical facility where the management of ischaemia and infarction must include continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) and hemodynamic monitoring, and a prompt therapeutic response to incident sustained arrhythmias. During the last decade, the hospital locations in which arrhythmias are most relevant have changed to include the cardiac catheterization laboratory, since the preferred management of early acute ACS is generally interventional in nature. However, a large proportion of patients are still managed medically.Both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias may occur in the setting of ACS and sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VAs) may be associated with circulatory collapse and require immediate treatment. Atrial fibrillation (AF) may also warrant urgent treatment when a fast ventricular rate is associated with hemodynamic deterioration. The management of other arrhythmias is also based largely on symptoms rather than to avert progression to more serious arrhythmias. Prophylactic antiarrhythmic management strategies have largely been discouraged.Although the mainstay of antiarrhythmic therapy used to rely on antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs), particularly sodium channel blockers and amiodarone, their use has now declined, since clinical evidence to support such treatment has never been convincing. Therapy for acute coronary syndrome and arrhythmia management are now based increasingly on invasive approaches. The changes in the clinical approach to arrhythmia management in ACS have been so substantial that the European Heart Rhythm Association, the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association and the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions established a task force to define the current position.
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| 4. |
- Haugaa, Kristina H., et al.
(author)
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Implantable cardioverter defibrillator use for primary prevention in ischaemic and non-ischaemic heart disease-indications in the post-DANISH trial era : results of the European Heart Rhythm Association survey
- 2017
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In: Europace. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 19:4, s. 660-664
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is the standard of care for prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in high-risk patients. For primary prevention of SCD, in patients with ischaemic heart disease, there is more robust data on the effect of ICD therapy compared with patients with non-ischaemic heart disease, but current real-life practice may differ substantially. The aim of this European Heart Rhythm Association survey was to evaluate the clinical practice regarding implantation of ICD for primary prevention among European countries in patients with non-ischaemic and ischaemic heart disease. Furthermore, we wanted to investigate the impact of the results of the recently published DANISH trial on clinical practice among European countries. In total, 48 centres from 17 different countries responded to the questionnaire. The majority did not implant ICD for primary prevention on a regular basis in patients with non-ischaemic heart disease despite current guidelines. Also, centres have changed their indications after the recent report on the efficacy of ICD in these patients. In patients with ischaemic heart disease, the guidelines for primary prevention ICD were followed on a regular basis, and no relevant change in indications were reported.
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| 5. |
- Haugaa, Kristina Hermann, et al.
(author)
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Patients' knowledge and attitudes regarding living with implantable electronic devices : results of a multicentre, multinational patient survey conducted by the European Heart Rhythm Association
- 2018
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In: Europace. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 20:2, s. 386-391
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of this patient survey was to analyse the knowledge, experiences, and attitudes regarding cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) in patients with pacemakers, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), or cardiac resynchronization devices. Of the 1644 patients with CIEDs from seven European countries, 88% were over 50 years of age. Most patients (90%) knew what device they were implanted with and felt sufficiently informed about the indications for therapy. As many as 42% of patients needed additional information on the battery replacement and limitations in physical activity. The self-reported incidence of complications was 9%, and among these, a quarter of the respondents felt insufficiently informed about the possibility of complications and their management. The majority of patients (83%) were followed by face-to-face visits, which was the most commonly preferred follow-up strategy by the patients. Nearly 75% of the patients reported improved quality of life after device implantation, but about 40% had worries about their device. Less than 20% had discussed with their physician or thought about device handling in the end-of-life circumstances or end-stage disease. Notably, almost 20% of the ICD patients did not wish to answer the question regarding what they wanted to be done with their ICD in case of end-stage disease, indicating the challenges in approaching these issues.
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| 7. |
- Tilz, Roland Richard, et al.
(author)
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Which patients with atrial fibrillation undergo an ablation procedure today in Europe? : A report from the ESC-EHRA-EORP Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Long-Term and Atrial Fibrillation General Pilot Registries
- 2020
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In: Europace. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1099-5129 .- 1532-2092. ; 22:2, s. 250-258
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimsRhythm control management in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) may be unequal across Europe. The aim of this study was to investigate how selective the patient cohort referred for AF ablation is, as compared to the general AF population in Europe, and to describe the governing mechanisms for such selection.Methods and resultsDescriptive comparative statistical analyses of the baseline characteristics were performed between the cohorts of Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Long-Term (ESC EORP AFA-LT) registry, designed to provide a picture of contemporary real-world AF ablation, and the AF population from the AF-General (ESC EORP AF-Gen) pilot registry. Data collection was performed using a web-based system. In the AFA and in the Atrial Fibrillation General (AFG) pilot registries, 3593 and 3049 patients were enrolled, respectively. Patients who underwent AF ablation were younger, more commonly male, and had significantly less comorbidities. Atrial Fibrillation Ablation patients often presented without comorbidities, resulting in a lower risk of stroke (CHA2DS2-VASc ≥5: 2.9% vs. 24.5%, all P < 0.001) and bleeding (HAS-BLED ≥2: 8.5% vs. 40.5%, P < 0.001) but with European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) scores >1 and more prevalent AF-related symptoms such as palpitations, fatigue, and weakness (all P < 0.001) as compared to the general AF patients. Atrial Fibrillation Ablation patients were significantly more often male, had higher left ventricular ejection fraction (59.5% vs. 52.4%) and smaller left atrial size on echocardiogram (P < 0.001 each).ConclusionThe comparison of the patient cohorts in the AFA and AFG registries showed that AF ablation in European clinical practice is mostly performed in relatively young, symptomatic and relatively healthy patients.
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