Leading Heart Advocates Launch AFib Task Force in Brussels

Brussels, November 29 (ots/PRNewswire) -

Leaders from policy, medical and patient environments address
European heart health in joint approach

In the European Parliament today, Cristian Busoi MEP, along with
European heart advocates, announced the launch of their new AFib Task
Force. The Task Force has been established to help address the
increasing challenge posed by Atrial Fibrillation (AFib), a cost
driver for European health care systems:

AFib is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia, already
affecting more than 6 million Europeans, and will increase in
prevalence as Europe's population ages. Although AFib is associated
with heart failure, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and previous
coronary heart disease; a large proportion of patients have no
identifiable risk factors, making proven prevention strategies for
the disease very difficult to establish.

"EU healthcare is under extreme financial pressure; we have to
make important choices regarding the diseases on which we focus and
the resources we allocate to their management," said Mr. Busoi. He
continued: "Given the burden this disease places on patients and
healthcare systems and its rapidly increasing prevalence, the members
of the Task Force have identified an urgent need for increased
awareness and improved treatment of AFib. At a time when the EU is
focusing on deploying innovative solutions for active and healthy
ageing for Europeans, ensuring effective treatment for conditions
like AFib could help both current and future generations to enjoy
more active and productive lives."

The Task Force has been established to provide a
multidisciplinary approach, combining expertise and efforts from the
medical, policy and patient advocacy environments. It aims to enhance
public awareness of AFib, bringing together medical experts, patient
organisations and policy makers from EU Member States to create the
synergies that will help address AFib efficiently and effectively.
The initiative will provide a platform for all stakeholders from all
Member States concerned with AFib to work together to create
solutions that will improve the treatment and management of AFib
patients. Doing so, the Task Force wants to take a close look at the
state of implementation of treatment guidelines in Member States and
the adoption of recent survey findings in patient pathways. Here,
what is best for the patient will be the main driver; this means to
ensure that the various options are all considered, be they
pharmaceutical interventions or surgical therapy like catheter
ablation.

"We believe that the personal burden on individuals and the
economic impact of AFib for healthcare providers needs urgent
attention," said Trudie Lobban MBE Founder and CEO of Atrial
Fibrillation Association and member of the AFib Task Force.

The founding members of Task Force stressed that their initiative
will take an inclusive approach, inviting European stakeholders
involved in the fight against AFib to collaborate and create a
broader movement. The AFib Task Force wants to unite and support
European policy makers and healthcare professionals in implementing
appropriate and effective treatment for all patients across the
European Union.

AFib Task Force Members

Cristian S. Busoi MEP, Member of European Parliament and trained
physician

Prof. Mattias Duytschaever, One of the leading members of the
Belgian Heart rhythm Association; Cardiologist at AZ St Jan Hospital
in Bruges, Belgium; Professor at the Cardiology Department the
University of Gent

Joanne M. Jerrome, Assistant CEO of Atrial Fibrillation
Association (AFA)

Prof. Josef Kautzner, MD, PhD, FESC, Head of Cardiology
Department at Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine in
Prague, Member of the Board of the European Society of Cardiology
(Councillor), Member of the International Affairs Committee of EHRA

Prof. Dr. med Karl-Heinz Kuck, President elect of the board of
European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA); Head of Cardiology of
Asklepios Klinik St. Georg in Hamburg; Member of the German
Competency Network for Afib, AFNET

The Launch Event of the AFib Task Force was supported with an
unconditional grant from Cordis Biosense-Webster.

ots Originaltext: AFib Task Force
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

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