Early diagnosis and better rhythm management to improve outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation : the 8th AFNET/EHRA consensus conference

• Despite marked progress in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF), detecting AF remains difficult and AF-related complications cause unacceptable morbidity and mortality even on optimal current therapy. This document summarizes the key outcomes of the 8th AFNET/EHRA Consensus Conference of the Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) and the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA). Eighty-three international experts met in Hamburg for 2 days in October 2021. Results of the interdisciplinary, hybrid discussions in breakout groups and the plenary based on recently published and unpublished observations are summarized in this consensus paper to support improved care for patients with AF by guiding prevention, individualized management, and research strategies. The main outcomes are (i) new evidence supports a simple, scalable, and pragmatic population-based AF screening pathway; (ii) rhythm management is evolving from therapy aimed at improving symptoms to an integrated domain in the prevention of AF-related outcomes, especially in patients with recently diagnosed AF; (iii) improved characterization of atrial cardiomyopathy may help to identify patients in need for therapy; (iv) standardized assessment of cognitive function in patients with AF could lead to improvement in patient outcomes; and (v) artificial intelligence (AI) can support all of the above aims, but requires advanced interdisciplinary knowledge and collaboration as well as a better medico-legal framework. Implementation of new evidence-based approaches to AF screening and rhythm management can improve outcomes in patients with AF. Additional benefits are possible with further efforts to identify and target atrial cardiomyopathy and cognitive impairment, which can be facilitated by AI.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kardiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (hsv//eng)

Keyword

AFNET

Anticoagulation

Artificial intelligence

Atrial cardiomyopathy

Atrial fibrillation

Bleeding

Catheter ablation

Cognitive function

Consensus statement

Cost

Dementia

EHRA

Guidelines

Heart failure

Integrated care

Outcomes

Quality of care

Research

Research priorities

Rhythm management

Screening

Stroke

Technology

AFNET

Anticoagulation

Artificial intelligence

Atrial cardiomyopathy

Atrial fibrillation

Bleeding

Catheter ablation

Cognitive function

Consensus statement

Cost

Dementia

EHRA

Guidelines

Heart failure

Integrated care

Outcomes

Quality of care

Research

Research priorities

Rhythm management

Screening

Stroke

Technology

Artificial Intelligence

Atrial Fibrillation

Cognition

Consensus

Early Diagnosis

Humans

anticoagulant agent

ablation therapy

anticoagulant therapy

Article

artificial intelligence

atrial fibrillation

cardiomyopathy

catheter ablation

cerebrovascular accident

clinical assessment

clinical research

cognition

cognitive defect

consensus

dementia

disease exacerbation

early diagnosis

evidence based practice

follow up

health care quality

health education

heart protection

human

medical society

medicolegal aspect

patient care

patient referral

risk factor

screening test

sinus rhythm

complication

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)