AF RISK

Rationale: AF is a progressive disease, but identifying patients at risk for AF progression is challenging.

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify factors such as clinical information, echocardiographic parameters and circulating biomarkers, that can be used in a risk profile to predict success of rhythm control and to optimize therapy in patients with short-lasting paroxysmal or persistent AF.

Study design: multi-center, prospective, observational study.

Objective: To identify factors such as clinical information, echocardiographic parameters and circulating biomarkers, that can be used in a risk profile to predict success of rhythm control and to optimize therapy in patients with short-lasting paroxysmal or persistent AF.

Study design and outcomes: 499 consecutive patients were included presenting with short-lasting symptomatic paroxysmal or persistent AF in whom a rhythm control strategy was preferred. Clinical factors, echocardiographic parameters, endothelial function measurements and blood samples for analysis of circulating biomarkers were collected. Patients were regularly seen during a 1-year-follow up and rhythm monitoring was performed by Holter and 2-week event recording.

We have found in patients in AFRISK that left atrial volume, NT-proBNP, and PAI-1 were associated with AF progression. Patients with AF progression had a higher event rate.

Related news articles

The AF-RISK Study’s first analyses, published in Europace