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R E S E A R C H N E T W O R K
The Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) is an interdisciplinary research network comprising scientists and physicians from hospitals and practices dedicated to improving the management of atrial fibrillation through coordinated research in Germany, Europe and beyond.
Its main objective is to conduct high quality investigator-initiated clinical trials and registries on a national and international level.
The association continues the work of the research network Kompetenznetz Vorhofflimmern that was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
P A T I E N T I N F O R M A T I O N
The Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) provides up-to-date information for patients with atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia resulting in irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath and dizziness. Patients face an increased risk of thrombo-embolic complications such as stroke. The incidence of atrial fibrillation is age-dependent: in the overall population roughly 1%, in the elderly population up to 20%. By 2050, the number of patients with atrial fibrillation is estimated to rise by 250% due to demographic aging in Western nations. Prevention and effective therapy of atrial fibrillation are unmet needs. Atrial fibrillation is therefore an increasingly serious healthcare problem.
R E S E A R C H
The studies of the Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (AFNET) aim to improve the management of patients with cardiac arrhythmias.
AFNET initiates and conducts clinical trials and registries (investigator initiated trials IIT). AFNET not only assumes the scientific direction of these studies but also the organizational sponsor responsibilities according to the EU guideline for the application of Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
The studies include pharmacological (e.g. anticoagulation) as well as non-pharmacological (e.g. ablation) treatment strategies that aim to reduce strokes and other serious complications.
Furthermore, mobile Health (mHealth) using apps on smartphones or smartwatches in the screening projects of AFNET for early detection of atrial fibrillation become increasingly important.
In addition to AFNET's main research focus on atrial fibrillation, other cardiac diseases are covered as well.
From our research
N O A H - A F N E T 6
The investigator-initiated NOAH-AFNET 6 trial is investigating whether oral anticoagulation with the NOAC Edoxaban (non-vitamin K-antagonistic oral anticoagulant) is superior the current standard therapy (no treatment or ASA) to prevent complications such as stroke, systemic embolisms or cardiovascular death in patients with atrial high rate episodes (AHRE).
A X A D I A - A F N E T 8
A Safety Study Assessing Oral Anticoagulation with Apixaban versus Vitamin-K Antagonists in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) on Chronic Hemodialysis Treatment (AXADIA)
Smart in OAC - A F N E T 9
Multi-centre, multi-national, investigator-initiated, single-arm case-finding study of a cloud based analytic service as screening tool to detect and quantify episodes of atrial arrhythmia using an automated, wearable photoplethysmography-based monitoring system.