Sophia Antipolis, France – April 7, 2024: The first patient has been enrolled in the first EU-wide trial aimed at improving the care of older atrial fibrillation patients with additional chronic conditions. His EU-funded EHRA-PATHS study is coordinated by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the ESC’s European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA).

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder, affecting more than 40 million people worldwide. 1 The chance of developing atrial fibrillation increases with age and a number of other medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and kidney disease. Illness, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea. On average, patients with atrial fibrillation have five comorbidities2, and these comorbidities negatively impact survival3. Additionally, three-quarters of patients with atrial fibrillation take at least five medications4.

The EHRA-PATHS trial is evaluating how comorbidities are currently managed in older patients with atrial fibrillation. We will then examine whether newly developed treatment pathways lead to better identification and management of comorbidities compared to standard treatments.

Lead researcher Professor Isabel van Gelder said: “Health care systems focus on one disease at a time. This increases the risk of underdiagnosis of other diseases and of adverse interactions between drugs for different diseases, which can be harmful to patients. This is a costly scenario for health services. EHRA-PATHS is testing a new care pathway that provides comprehensive management for older patients with atrial fibrillation by also addressing other chronic conditions. The trial will be conducted in 14 countries and provides an opportunity to address differences in healthcare systems across Europe.”

EHRA-PATHS researchers are developing new treatment pathways for 22 common comorbidities and risk factors experienced by patients with atrial fibrillation, 12 of which will be evaluated in this trial: Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart failure, overweight/obesity, renal failure, smoking, diabetes, coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, physical activity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma, alcohol consumption. Each care pathway assists health professionals in confirming or ruling out whether certain comorbidities or risk factors are present, guiding further evaluation and effective management. All 12 care pathways are incorporated into the software tool, allowing healthcare professionals to assess AF patients in a systematic and comprehensive manner.

The clinical trial enrolled patients aged 65 and over with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation from 68 hospitals in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. We are planning to recruit. England. The first part of the study will examine current management (evaluation and treatment) of risk factors and comorbidities in approximately 1,300 patients to establish a baseline picture. In the second part, a randomized controlled trial of 1,080 patients introduces a new systematic treatment pathway using a specialized software tool to reduce comorbidities associated with atrial fibrillation compared to standard care. Assess whether management can be improved.

The primary endpoint is the number of risk factors and comorbidities identified during baseline mapping (Part 1) and at the end of the randomized controlled trial (Part 2) for which treatment is initiated. Secondary endpoints included atrial fibrillation symptom burden. Ablation; hospitalization due to stroke, heart failure, or severe bleeding. mortality; quality of life; patient and health professional satisfaction. Introduction to other fields. and cost-effective.

Lead researcher Professor Michel Lienstra said: “We hope this trial will show that by using a systematic approach with easy-to-use software tools, more comorbidities can be identified and treated in patients with atrial fibrillation compared to usual practice.” Furthermore, improved management of comorbidities is expected to result in improved symptoms and quality of life, while simultaneously reducing healthcare costs. Data from the trial will be used to seek regulatory approval for the software, making it available to medical professionals across Europe. ”

Stay tuned for the EHRA-PATHS session at the EHRA conference to explore in detail the complex relationship between atrial fibrillation and other health conditions. 5 Insights from patients regarding their perceptions of atrial fibrillation care are also included.

end

Author: ESC Press Office
Phone number: +33 (0)489 872 075

Email: press@escardio.org

Follow me on X @ESCardioNews

Note to editor

EHRA-PATHS receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement number 945260.

References and notes

1Hindricks G, Potpara T, Nikolaos Dagres N et al The 2020 ESC guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation were developed in collaboration with the European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS). Eur Heart J. 2021;42:373–498.

2Chamberlain AM, Alonso A, Gersh BJ et al. Complex disease and risk of hospitalization and mortality in atrial fibrillation: a population-based study. Am Heart J. 2017;185:74–84.

3 Jani BD, Nicol BI, McQueenney R et al Complex and comorbid conditions in atrial fibrillation and impact on survival: findings from the UK Biobank cohort. Europe. 2018;20:f329–f336.

4Shaikh F, Pasch LB, Newton PJ et al. Addressing multimorbidity and polypharmacy in patients with atrial fibrillation. Curr Cardiol Rep. 2018;20:32.

5EHRA-PATHS will be discussed in the session “Comorbidity management of patients presenting with atrial fibrillation – EHRA-PATHS project” on 7 April 2024 at 17:15 CET in Room 4.

About the European Heart Rhythm Association

The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) is a branch of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The aim is to improve patients’ quality of life and reduce sudden cardiac death by limiting the effects of heart rhythm disturbances.

About EHRA Conference #EHRA2024

EHRA 2024 is the annual conference of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

About the European Society of Cardiology

The European Society of Cardiology brings together medical experts from more than 150 countries to advance cardiovascular medicine and help people live longer, healthier lives.

Information for journalists about registering for EHRA 2024

EHRA 2024 will be held online from April 7th to 9th at CityCube Berlin, Germany. Explore scientific programs.

• Free registration applies to accredited news organizations.

• Credentials: Valid press card or appropriate power of attorney proving three recently published articles. Read ESC’s Media and Embargo Policy.

• The ESC Press Office will verify the documents and confirm via email that the press accreditation is valid.

• The decision of the ESC Press Office is final regarding all press registration requests.