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New AF tool to tackle system ‘burden’

New AF tool to tackle system ‘burden’
31 August 2011



A new atrial fibrillation (AF) tool has been developed to help GPs tackle the “increased burden” caused by rising incidences of the disease.

The Atrial Fibrillation in Primary Care (AFIP) tool guides primary care physicians through the first steps of AF management and provides advice for referral to a cardiovascular specialist.

AF affects more than six million people in Europe. It is predicted that the prevalence of the disease will at least double in the next 50 years.

A new atrial fibrillation (AF) tool has been developed to help GPs tackle the “increased burden” caused by rising incidences of the disease.

The Atrial Fibrillation in Primary Care (AFIP) tool guides primary care physicians through the first steps of AF management and provides advice for referral to a cardiovascular specialist.

AF affects more than six million people in Europe. It is predicted that the prevalence of the disease will at least double in the next 50 years.

Time-limited settings have been cited as contributing to difficulty in diagnosing AF and in the ongoing management of the condition.

“Research has demonstrated variability in following AF management guidelines, potentially putting the lives of thousands of AF patients at risk and leading to an increased burden on healthcare systems,” said Professor John Camm, Professor of Clinical Cardiology, St George’s University and co-author of the AFIP tool.

“The availability of new therapies will likely encourage the management of AF in primary care, where early and opportunistic screening could ultimately prevent severe consequences of AF for patients.”

Leading cardiologists, primary care physicians, patients and professional organisations were involved in developing the AFIP tool.

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