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type=\u0022text\/css\u0022 rel=\u0022stylesheet\u0022 href=\u0022\/\/d282kpwvnogo5m.cloudfront.net\/sites\/default\/files\/advagg_css\/css__ce2QY63WIanKyr8eSq7eavr1XQRRmFD6ZSmwpyJi8lM__zXwFqpqmxrZOXXcd_TpBQpjuELbmIP9wBR5UuTDWAO4__YJWWMMdfCJuAFm5cUEp88OsodhO3ZA-2lzRfoBsSlk4.css\u0022 media=\u0022all\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003Clink rel=\u0027stylesheet\u0027 type=\u0027text\/css\u0027 href=\u0027\/sites\/all\/modules\/contrib\/panels\/plugins\/layouts\/onecol\/onecol.css\u0027 \/\u003E\u003C\/head\u003E\u003Cbody\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022panels-ajax-tab-panel panels-ajax-tab-panel-sageoa-tab-art\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022panel-display panel-1col clearfix\u0022 \u003E\n  \u003Cdiv class=\u0022panel-panel panel-col\u0022\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022panel-pane pane-highwire-markup\u0022 \u003E\n  \n      \n  \n  \u003Cdiv class=\u0022pane-content\u0022\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022highwire-markup\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv xmlns=\u0022http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xhtml\u0022 id=\u0022content-block-markup\u0022 xmlns:xhtml=\u0022http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xhtml\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022article fulltext-view \u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022highwire-journal-article-marker-start\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022section abstract\u0022 id=\u0022abstract-1\u0022\u003E\u003Ch2\u003ESummary\u003C\/h2\u003E\n            \u003Cp id=\u0022p-1\u0022\u003EThis article discusses results from a European study, demonstrating that although the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has changed based on updated guidelines, many continue to experience symptoms, highlighting the need to improve the management of this patient population. The Prevention of Thromboembolic Events - European Registry in Atrial Fibrillation [PREFER in AF] is a multicenter study conducted across seven countries in Europe, comprising a prospective, observational disease registry. The study was designed to determine the extent to which publication of the 2010 European Society of Cardiology guidelines has affected clinical behavior in Europe.\u003C\/p\u003E\n         \u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cul class=\u0022kwd-group\u0022\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022kwd\u0022\u003ECardiology Clinical Trials\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022kwd\u0022\u003EExclusive Article - For home page\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022kwd\u0022\u003EArrhythmias\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022kwd\u0022\u003ECardiology Guidelines\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cul class=\u0022kwd-group clinical-trial\u0022\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022kwd\u0022\u003ECardiology Clinical Trials\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022kwd\u0022\u003EExclusive Article - For home page\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022kwd\u0022\u003EArrhythmias\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022kwd\u0022\u003ECardiology Guidelines\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022kwd\u0022\u003ECardiology\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022p-2\u0022\u003EPaulus Kirchhof, MD, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom, presented results from a European study, demonstrating that although the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has changed based on updated guidelines, many continue to experience symptoms, highlighting the need to improve the management of this patient population.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022p-3\u0022\u003EThe Prevention of Thromboembolic Events - European Registry in Atrial Fibrillation [PREFER in AF] is a multicenter study conducted across seven countries in Europe, comprising a prospective, observational disease registry. The study was designed to determine the extent to which publication of the 2010 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines has affected clinical behavior in Europe.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022p-4\u0022\u003EInclusion criteria were patient age of at least 18 years; a history of AF documented by some form of recording of electrical activity of the heart within the previous 12 months; and written, informed consent to participate in the study. The registry enrolled 7243 patients (60% men; mean age 71.5 years; 72% with hypertension; 23% with coronary artery disease; 8% with prior stroke; 11% with prior myocardial infarction; and 4% with valvular AF). Patients were evaluated at an initial baseline visit to investigate their symptoms and disease-management strategies, with an emphasis on preventing thromboembolic events. A follow-up visit will occur 12 months after the baseline visit.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022p-5\u0022\u003EAt baseline it was demonstrated that as CHA\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003EDS\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E-VASc scores increase, so does the incidence of chronic forms of AF (persistent, long-standing persistent, and permanent). Conversely, the proportion of paroxysmal AF patients is reduced as scores increase (\u003Ca id=\u0022xref-fig-1-1\u0022 class=\u0022xref-fig\u0022 href=\u0022#F1\u0022\u003EFigure 1\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv id=\u0022F1\u0022 class=\u0022fig pos-float  odd\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022highwire-figure\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022fig-inline-img-wrapper\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022fig-inline-img\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/d282kpwvnogo5m.cloudfront.net\/content\/spmdc\/13\/12\/20\/F1.large.jpg?width=800\u0026amp;height=600\u0026amp;carousel=1\u0022 title=\u0022Relationship Between Type of AF and CHA2DS2-VASc Score\u0022 class=\u0022fragment-images colorbox-load\u0022 rel=\u0022gallery-fragment-images-1623636222\u0022 data-figure-caption=\u0022\u0026amp;lt;div xmlns=\u0026amp;quot;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xhtml\u0026amp;quot;\u0026amp;gt;Relationship Between Type of AF and CHA\u0026amp;lt;sub\u0026amp;gt;2\u0026amp;lt;\/sub\u0026amp;gt;DS\u0026amp;lt;sub\u0026amp;gt;2\u0026amp;lt;\/sub\u0026amp;gt;-VASc Score\u0026amp;lt;\/div\u0026amp;gt;\u0022 data-icon-position=\u0022\u0022 data-hide-link-title=\u00220\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg class=\u0022fragment-image\u0022 alt=\u0022Figure 1.\u0022 src=\u0022http:\/\/d282kpwvnogo5m.cloudfront.net\/content\/spmdc\/13\/12\/20\/F1.medium.gif\u0022\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cul class=\u0022highwire-figure-links inline\u0022\u003E\u003Cli class=\u00220 first\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/d282kpwvnogo5m.cloudfront.net\/content\/spmdc\/13\/12\/20\/F1.large.jpg?download=true\u0022 class=\u0022highwire-figure-link highwire-figure-link-download\u0022 title=\u0022Download Figure 1.\u0022 data-icon-position=\u0022\u0022 data-hide-link-title=\u00220\u0022\u003EDownload figure\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\u00221\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/d282kpwvnogo5m.cloudfront.net\/content\/spmdc\/13\/12\/20\/F1.large.jpg\u0022 class=\u0022highwire-figure-link highwire-figure-link-newtab\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 data-icon-position=\u0022\u0022 data-hide-link-title=\u00220\u0022\u003EOpen in new tab\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\u00222 last\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/highwire\/powerpoint\/13597\u0022 class=\u0022highwire-figure-link highwire-figure-link-ppt\u0022 data-icon-position=\u0022\u0022 data-hide-link-title=\u00220\u0022\u003EDownload powerpoint\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022fig-caption attrib\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022fig-label\u0022\u003EFigure 1.\u003C\/span\u003E \n            \u003Cp id=\u0022p-6\u0022 class=\u0022first-child\u0022\u003ERelationship Between Type of AF and CHA\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003EDS\u003Csub\u003E2\u003C\/sub\u003E-VASc Score\u003C\/p\u003E\n         \u003Cq class=\u0022attrib\u0022 id=\u0022attrib-1\u0022\u003EReproduced with permission from P Kirchhof, MD.\u003C\/q\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022sb-div caption-clear\u0022\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022p-7\u0022\u003EIt was also shown that, of patients who were clear-cut candidates for oral anticoagulant drugs (OACs), \u0026gt;80% actually received therapy in accordance with recommended guidelines. Most received vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) as monotherapy, although others received antiplatelet (AP) monotherapy, combined OACs and AP, or new OACs (\u003Ca id=\u0022xref-fig-2-1\u0022 class=\u0022xref-fig\u0022 href=\u0022#F2\u0022\u003EFigure 2\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv id=\u0022F2\u0022 class=\u0022fig pos-float  odd\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022highwire-figure\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022fig-inline-img-wrapper\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022fig-inline-img\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/d282kpwvnogo5m.cloudfront.net\/content\/spmdc\/13\/12\/20\/F2.large.jpg?width=800\u0026amp;height=600\u0026amp;carousel=1\u0022 title=\u0022Type of Antithrombotic Therapy Used\u0022 class=\u0022fragment-images colorbox-load\u0022 rel=\u0022gallery-fragment-images-1623636222\u0022 data-figure-caption=\u0022Type of Antithrombotic Therapy Used\u0022 data-icon-position=\u0022\u0022 data-hide-link-title=\u00220\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg class=\u0022fragment-image\u0022 alt=\u0022Figure 2.\u0022 src=\u0022http:\/\/d282kpwvnogo5m.cloudfront.net\/content\/spmdc\/13\/12\/20\/F2.medium.gif\u0022\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cul class=\u0022highwire-figure-links inline\u0022\u003E\u003Cli class=\u00220 first\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/d282kpwvnogo5m.cloudfront.net\/content\/spmdc\/13\/12\/20\/F2.large.jpg?download=true\u0022 class=\u0022highwire-figure-link highwire-figure-link-download\u0022 title=\u0022Download Figure 2.\u0022 data-icon-position=\u0022\u0022 data-hide-link-title=\u00220\u0022\u003EDownload figure\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\u00221\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/d282kpwvnogo5m.cloudfront.net\/content\/spmdc\/13\/12\/20\/F2.large.jpg\u0022 class=\u0022highwire-figure-link highwire-figure-link-newtab\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 data-icon-position=\u0022\u0022 data-hide-link-title=\u00220\u0022\u003EOpen in new tab\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\u00222 last\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/highwire\/powerpoint\/13599\u0022 class=\u0022highwire-figure-link highwire-figure-link-ppt\u0022 data-icon-position=\u0022\u0022 data-hide-link-title=\u00220\u0022\u003EDownload powerpoint\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022fig-caption attrib\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022fig-label\u0022\u003EFigure 2.\u003C\/span\u003E \n            \u003Cp id=\u0022p-8\u0022 class=\u0022first-child\u0022\u003EType of Antithrombotic Therapy Used\u003C\/p\u003E\n         \u003Cq class=\u0022attrib\u0022 id=\u0022attrib-2\u0022\u003EAP=antiplatelet; NOAC=new oral anticoagulant; OAC=oral anticoagulant; VKA=vitamin K antagonists.\u003C\/q\u003E\u003Cq class=\u0022attrib\u0022 id=\u0022attrib-3\u0022\u003EReproduced with permission from P Kirchhof, MD.\u003C\/q\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022sb-div caption-clear\u0022\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022p-9\u0022\u003EAnticoagulation management by VKAs was also evaluated, based on 3 international normalized ratio (INR) values collected at baseline visit. Approximately two thirds of patients showed adequate anticoagulant control, having 2 out of 3 INRs within the therapeutic range, and \u0026lt;50% had all 3 INR values within the therapeutic range (\u003Ca id=\u0022xref-fig-3-1\u0022 class=\u0022xref-fig\u0022 href=\u0022#F3\u0022\u003EFigure 3\u003C\/a\u003E).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv id=\u0022F3\u0022 class=\u0022fig pos-float  odd\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022highwire-figure\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022fig-inline-img-wrapper\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022fig-inline-img\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/d282kpwvnogo5m.cloudfront.net\/content\/spmdc\/13\/12\/20\/F3.large.jpg?width=800\u0026amp;height=600\u0026amp;carousel=1\u0022 title=\u0022Quality of Anticoagulation Control Using VKAs\u0022 class=\u0022fragment-images colorbox-load\u0022 rel=\u0022gallery-fragment-images-1623636222\u0022 data-figure-caption=\u0022Quality of Anticoagulation Control Using VKAs\u0022 data-icon-position=\u0022\u0022 data-hide-link-title=\u00220\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg class=\u0022fragment-image\u0022 alt=\u0022Figure 3.\u0022 src=\u0022http:\/\/d282kpwvnogo5m.cloudfront.net\/content\/spmdc\/13\/12\/20\/F3.medium.gif\u0022\/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cul class=\u0022highwire-figure-links inline\u0022\u003E\u003Cli class=\u00220 first\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/d282kpwvnogo5m.cloudfront.net\/content\/spmdc\/13\/12\/20\/F3.large.jpg?download=true\u0022 class=\u0022highwire-figure-link highwire-figure-link-download\u0022 title=\u0022Download Figure 3.\u0022 data-icon-position=\u0022\u0022 data-hide-link-title=\u00220\u0022\u003EDownload figure\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\u00221\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/d282kpwvnogo5m.cloudfront.net\/content\/spmdc\/13\/12\/20\/F3.large.jpg\u0022 class=\u0022highwire-figure-link highwire-figure-link-newtab\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 data-icon-position=\u0022\u0022 data-hide-link-title=\u00220\u0022\u003EOpen in new tab\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli class=\u00222 last\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/highwire\/powerpoint\/13601\u0022 class=\u0022highwire-figure-link highwire-figure-link-ppt\u0022 data-icon-position=\u0022\u0022 data-hide-link-title=\u00220\u0022\u003EDownload powerpoint\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022fig-caption attrib\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022fig-label\u0022\u003EFigure 3.\u003C\/span\u003E \n            \u003Cp id=\u0022p-10\u0022 class=\u0022first-child\u0022\u003EQuality of Anticoagulation Control Using VKAs\u003C\/p\u003E\n         \u003Cq class=\u0022attrib\u0022 id=\u0022attrib-4\u0022\u003EINR=international normalized ratio; VKA=vitamin Kantagonists.\u003C\/q\u003E\u003Cq class=\u0022attrib\u0022 id=\u0022attrib-5\u0022\u003EReproduced with permission from P Kirchhof, MD.\u003C\/q\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022sb-div caption-clear\u0022\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022p-11\u0022\u003EIt was also found that adequate heart rate control (within 60 to 100 bpm) was achieved in most patients with AF. However, more than half of them had a European Heart Rhythm Association score of III to IV, indicating a reduced quality of life due to severe or disabling AF symptoms. And although amiodarone is the form of rhythm control therapy being used most extensively in these patients, AF ablation is also being increasingly used. However, it was also shown that more than half of the most symptomatic patients do not receive rhythm control therapy\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022p-12\u0022\u003EThe researchers concluded that the baseline data demonstrates a change in clinical practice since the publication of the updated ESC guidelines in 2010 for management of patients with AF. However, although many patients are receiving OAC therapy in accordance with recommended guidelines, many patients remain symptomatic yet still do not receive rate control therapy. Although these findings will need to be confirmed at the 12-month follow-up visit, improved strategies may be necessary to enhance outcomes in patients with AF.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022p-13\u0022\u003EAltogether 78.6% of patients were adequately rate controlled, using a mean heart rate of 60 to 100 bpm as the definition. Rhythm control therapy was given to 66.7% of patients, with rhythm control consisting of electrical cardioversion in 18.1% of patients; pharmacological conversion in 19.5%; amiodarone in 24.1%; flecainide in 10.5%; sotalol in 5.5%; dronedarone in 4%; other antiarrhythmic drugs in 3.1%; and catheter ablation in 5%. However, over 80% of patients still suffered from AF symptoms despite good rate control.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022p-14\u0022\u003E\u201cWe were surprised and puzzled by the high number of patients who suffer from AF despite good rate control,\u201d said Prof. Kirchhof. \u201cThis indicates that we have more work to do to develop tools to better prevent AF and possibly to better maintain sinus rhythm in the future.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp id=\u0022p-15\u0022\u003EThe ongoing Early Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation for Stroke Prevention Trial [EAST; \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.easttrial.org\u0022\u003Ewww.easttrial.org\u003C\/a\u003E] is currently testing whether early use of rhythm control therapy can prevent adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with AF compared with usual care. EAST will help to define whether early rhythm control therapy can improve the management of patients with AF.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cul class=\u0022copyright-statement\u0022\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022fn\u0022 id=\u0022copyright-statement-1\u0022\u003E\u00a9 2013 MD Conference Express\u00ae\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cspan class=\u0022highwire-journal-article-marker-end\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cspan id=\u0022related-urls\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/mdc.sagepub.com\/content\/13\/12\/20.abstract\u0022 class=\u0022hw-link hw-link-article-abstract\u0022 data-icon-position=\u0022\u0022 data-hide-link-title=\u00220\u0022\u003EView Summary\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E  \u003C\/div\u003E\n\n  \n  \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n  \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cscript type=\u0022text\/javascript\u0022 src=\u0022http:\/\/mdc.sagepub.com\/sites\/all\/modules\/highwire\/highwire\/plugins\/highwire_markup_process\/js\/highwire_figures.js?nznq31\u0022\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003Cscript type=\u0022text\/javascript\u0022 src=\u0022http:\/\/mdc.sagepub.com\/sites\/all\/modules\/highwire\/highwire\/plugins\/highwire_markup_process\/js\/highwire_openurl.js?nznq31\u0022\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\n\u003C\/body\u003E\u003C\/html\u003E"}