1,721,138 research outputs found
The impact of hearth failure on health care costs in Belgium
No full textHeart failure (HF) is a serious public health problem all over the world. This chronic disease has a high prevalence, affects mainly the elderly and causes high mortality or severe disability with high economic costs. The aim of this study was to calculate the in-hospital costs due to HF in Belgium. Methods: Retrospective analysis of data from the national hospital registration system (MKG) for 2001. Cost calculations were performed using the data of the social insurance system (RIZIV). Results: In 2001, there were 19.398 admissions with HF as a primary diagnosis with a total in-hospital stay of 286.938 days, representing 12% of the total hospital days for cardiovascular diseases. The mean in-hospital stay for HF was 14.8 days. 51% of the patients were readmitted within the same year. The in-hospital mortality was 15.5%. The total in-hospital costs of HF as a primary diagnosis The impact of hearth failure on health care costs in Belgium. Conclusion: HF was responsible for a significant number of in-hospital days and in-hospital mortality. It has a significant impact on health care costs in Belgium
Screening for Atrial Fibrillation in Belgium: a multicentre trial
No full textScreening for Atrial Fibrillation (AF) in Belgium: a multicentre trial
Claes Neree, Goethals Marnix, Goethals Peter, Mairesse Georges, Schwagten Bruno,
Nuyens Dieter, Schrooten Ward, Vijgen Johan
Introduction
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice. The estimated prevalence is 0.4-1% in the general population, increasing with age to 8% in those older than 80y - . Epidemiological data of this arrhythmia in Belgium are scarce. It is important to screen for AF because patients with AF have a 5 times more risk for an ischemic stroke . The CHA2DS2-VASscore calculates the risk for stroke in those patients, a score ≥2 necessitate a therapy with anticoagulants .
Methods
Patients above 40 years were invited through different channels (TV, radio, journals, website, posters, leaflets) for a free screening in 69 hospitals allocated over Belgium during one week. After filling in a question on their personal history of AF, they had to fill in a questionnaire about their CHAD2-score. Afterwards a one channel ECG was taken using a versatile Heart Scan Device (Omron HCG-801-E©) by a trained nurse or a physician. If the ECG was positive for AF the patient was referred to their physician for follow-up. An Access database was constructed to collect the data and statistics were done in SPSS.
Results
11.550 patients were screened. 38% are male and 62% are female with a mean age of 59y (+/-SD 11). 860 patients declared a history of AF (7.4%), 10.188 had no history of AF and in 502 the history was missing. 229 (1.9%) of the total population had AF on the one lead ECG where 148 were newly detected. According the CHADS2 68 patients had a score of 0, 70 of 1 and 91 of ≥2. For the CHA2DS2-VASscore the distribution was as follows: 14 patients with 0, 46 with 1 and 169 with ≥2.
Conclusion
Screening campaigns are feasible and able to detect 2% of patients with AF. A significant proportion of these patients are at risk for trombo-embolic event.
Go AS, Hylek EM, Philips KA et al. Prevalence of diagnosed atrial fibrillation in adults: national implications for rhytm management and stroke prevention: the AnTicoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation (ATRIA) Study. JAMA 2001;285:2370-5.
Furberg CD, Psaty BM, Manolio TA, et al. Prevalence of atrial fibrillation in elderly subjects (the Cardiovascular Health Study). Am J Cardiol 1994; 7:236-41.
Wolf PA, Abbott RD, Kannel WB. Atrial Fibrillation as an independent risk factor for stroke: teh Framingham Study. Stroke 1991;22:983-8.
Lip G, Pisters R, Crijns H. Refining clinical risk stratification using a novel risk factor based approach: The Euro Heart Survey on Atrial Fibrillation. Chest 2010;137:263-72.Sanofi Aventi
Screening for Atrial Fibrillation in Belgium: a multicentre trial
No full textScreening for Atrial Fibrillation (AF) in Belgium: a multicentre trial
Claes Neree, Goethals Marnix, Goethals Peter, Mairesse Georges, Schwagten Bruno,
Nuyens Dieter, Schrooten Ward, Vijgen Johan
Introduction
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice. The estimated prevalence is 0.4-1% in the general population, increasing with age to 8% in those older than 80y - . Epidemiological data of this arrhythmia in Belgium are scarce. It is important to screen for AF because patients with AF have a 5 times more risk for an ischemic stroke . The CHA2DS2-VASscore calculates the risk for stroke in those patients, a score ≥2 necessitate a therapy with anticoagulants .
Methods
Patients above 40 years were invited through different channels (TV, radio, journals, website, posters, leaflets) for a free screening in 69 hospitals allocated over Belgium during one week. After filling in a question on their personal history of AF, they had to fill in a questionnaire about their CHAD2-score. Afterwards a one channel ECG was taken using a versatile Heart Scan Device (Omron HCG-801-E©) by a trained nurse or a physician. If the ECG was positive for AF the patient was referred to their physician for follow-up. An Access database was constructed to collect the data and statistics were done in SPSS.
Results
11.550 patients were screened. 38% are male and 62% are female with a mean age of 59y (+/-SD 11). 860 patients declared a history of AF (7.4%), 10.188 had no history of AF and in 502 the history was missing. 229 (1.9%) of the total population had AF on the one lead ECG where 148 were newly detected. According the CHADS2 68 patients had a score of 0, 70 of 1 and 91 of ≥2. For the CHA2DS2-VASscore the distribution was as follows: 14 patients with 0, 46 with 1 and 169 with ≥2.
Conclusion
Screening campaigns are feasible and able to detect 2% of patients with AF. A significant proportion of these patients are at risk for trombo-embolic event.
Go AS, Hylek EM, Philips KA et al. Prevalence of diagnosed atrial fibrillation in adults: national implications for rhytm management and stroke prevention: the AnTicoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation (ATRIA) Study. JAMA 2001;285:2370-5.
Furberg CD, Psaty BM, Manolio TA, et al. Prevalence of atrial fibrillation in elderly subjects (the Cardiovascular Health Study). Am J Cardiol 1994; 7:236-41.
Wolf PA, Abbott RD, Kannel WB. Atrial Fibrillation as an independent risk factor for stroke: teh Framingham Study. Stroke 1991;22:983-8.
Lip G, Pisters R, Crijns H. Refining clinical risk stratification using a novel risk factor based approach: The Euro Heart Survey on Atrial Fibrillation. Chest 2010;137:263-72.Sanofi Aventi
Utility of three-dimensional rotational angiography during endoscopically guided laser balloon ablation of atrial fibrillation: A case study
No full textAssessment of comorbidity awareness in patients with atrial fibrillation: The ACAPAF study
No full textBackground and aim: Systematic and integrated comorbidity management in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) requires patient involvement, starting with comorbidity awareness. This study evaluates comorbidity awareness in patients with AF before and after a first nurse-led AF clinic visit and after six months. We also measured the time needed for full comorbidity mapping using the EHRA-PATHS software. Methods: This prospective two-centre study included patients diagnosed with AF attending the AF clinic for the first time. The software systematically assessed 23 comorbidities. Patients completed a comorbidity awareness questionnaire, focusing on nine AF-related comorbidities two weeks before their first visit, less than a week after, and six months later. Patients also had a telephone consultation with the AF nurse to discuss their comorbidities 1-3 months post-visit. Results: The study included 76 patients (mean age 68.3 +/- 10.3 y). Baseline awareness of comorbidity relevance for AF ranged between 11.1-100.0 %. Awareness about own alcohol consumption was the most 'underestimated' comorbidity before first contact (50.0 %), while smoking was most 'overestimated' (55.6 %; i.e. admitted in private but not during formal evaluation by nurses). The impact of an AF clinic visit on awareness of personal comorbidities was limited (p = 0.456), and also after an additional phone consultation, awareness was suboptimal after six months (p = 0.099). AF nurses needed 18.4 +/- 8.7 min to complete the software. Conclusions: Patients' comorbidity awareness is moderate, and more educational efforts are needed to improve their awareness. A systematic and complete comorbidity evaluation at the AF clinic using EHRA-PATHS software can be done within a reasonable time frame.The EHRA-PATHS project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 945260
Development of systematic care pathways to tackle multimorbidity in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: results of a Delphi process among the Horizon 2020 EHRA-PATHS investigators
No full textOn behalf of The Horizon 2020 EHRA-PATHS investigators Funding Acknowledgements: Type of funding sources: Public grant(s)-EU funding. Main funding source(s): This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 945260 Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the result of underlying diseases and many underlying comorbidities impact clinical outcomes. Elderly AF patients (≥65 years) have on average five comorbidities. Comorbidity management requires a systematic approach and interdisciplinary care pathways, which are lacking in most care settings. The EHRA-PATHS H2020 project No. 945260, coordinated by EHRA and ESC, aims to tackle this problem.Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 94526
Development of systematic care pathways to tackle multimorbidity in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: results of a Delphi process among the Horizon 2020 EHRA-PATHS investigators
No full textOn behalf of The Horizon 2020 EHRA-PATHS investigators Funding Acknowledgements: Type of funding sources: Public grant(s)-EU funding. Main funding source(s): This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 945260 Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the result of underlying diseases and many underlying comorbidities impact clinical outcomes. Elderly AF patients (≥65 years) have on average five comorbidities. Comorbidity management requires a systematic approach and interdisciplinary care pathways, which are lacking in most care settings. The EHRA-PATHS H2020 project No. 945260, coordinated by EHRA and ESC, aims to tackle this problem.Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 94526
An early multicenter experience of the novel high-density star-shaped mapping catheter in complex arrhythmias
No full textPurpose We aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and operator feedback of a novel star-shaped high-density mapping catheter containing 48 platinum-iridium mapping electrodes distributed across eight spines. Methods This prospective, single-arm, first-in-human study was conducted at five European sites. Primary endpoints were completion of pre-ablation mapping requirements, obtaining clinically indicated mapping with the new catheter without resorting to non-study mapping catheters, and incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs). Physician feedback survey assessed catheter performance, including deployment, ease of use, and mapping results. The subjects were followed for 7 days post-procedure. Results Of 31 patients enrolled (11 ventricular tachycardia [VT], 10 scar-related atrial tachycardia [AT]/atypical atrial flutter [AFL], and 10 persistent atrial fibrillation [PsAF]), 28 had study catheter inserted for mapping purposes. Pre-ablation mapping was achieved in 23/28 patients (82.1%). Median of total pre-ablation mapping times were 121.0, 72.5, and 31.5 min for the VT, scar-related AT/atypical AFL, and PsAF subgroups, respectively. More than two-thirds of mapping points acquired were used to generate CARTO maps relevant for ablation. All 16 patients who had conduction channel(s), gaps(s), or critical isthmus identified had the areas successfully mapped. The ability to deploy, maneuver, and reach the atria and ventricles using the catheter was rated positively for most procedures. Only one SAE (heart failure) was reported, unrelated to the device. Conclusion The study results demonstrate the feasibility of the OCTARAY catheter to successfully map complex arrhythmias with good safety profile. Operator feedback indicates satisfaction with ease of use and maneuverability of the catheter.The authors wish to express their appreciation to all the OCTARAY frst-in-human trial investigators. In addition, the authors wish to thank the following individuals for their eforts in the execution of the trial and statistical analysis, and for providing valuable input into the development of the study design and manuscript: Nathalie Macours, Qun Sha, Wannes Vermander, Lee Ming Boo, Christina Kaneko, and Renata Hansen. Additional writing support was provided by Michelle Hughes, PhD (Cello Health Communications/MedErgy), which was funded by Biosense Webster, Inc
Which educational follow-up method do atrial fibrillation patients prefer: in-person, online or app-based education?
No full textFund for Scientific Research, Flanders [T002917N]; BMS/Pfizer EuropeanType of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): The AF-EduCare study is a project supported by the Fund for Scientific Research, Flanders (T002917N). The AF-EduApp study is supported by an BMS/Pfizer European Thrombosis Investigator Initiated Research Program (ERISTA) grant
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