Atrial fibrillation management: a prospective survey in ESC member countries: the Euro Heart Survey on Atrial Fibrillation.
OBJECTIVE
To describe atrial fibrillation (AF) management in member countries of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and to verify cardiology practices against guidelines.


RESULTS
Among 182 hospitals in 35 countries, 5333 ambulant and hospitalized AF patients were enrolled, in 2003 and 2004. AF was primary or secondary diagnosis, and was confirmed on ECG in the preceding 12 months. Clinical type of AF was reported to be first detected in 978, paroxysmal in 1517, persistent in 1167, and permanent in 1547 patients. Concomitant diseases were present in 90% of all patients, causing risk factors for stroke to be also highly prevalent (86%). As many as 69% of patients were symptomatic at the time of the survey; among asymptomatic patients, 54% were previously experienced symptoms. Oral anticoagulation was prescribed in 67 and 49% of eligible and ineligible patients, respectively. A rhythm control strategy was applied in 67% of currently symptomatic patients and in 44% of patients who never experienced symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey provides a unique snapshot of current AF management in ESC member countries. Discordance between guidelines and practice was found regarding several issues on stroke prevention and antiarrhythmic therapy.
Nieuwlaat
Robby
R
Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Maastricht, P. Debyelaan 25, PO Box 5800, Maastricht 6202AZ, Maastricht, The Netherlands. r.nieuwlaat@cardio.azm.nl
Capucci
Alessandro
A
Camm
A John
AJ
Olsson
S Bertil
SB
Andresen
Dietrich
D
Davies
D Wyn
DW
Cobbe
Stuart
S
Breithardt
Günter
G
Le Heuzey
Jean-Yves
JY
Prins
Martin H
MH
Lévy
Samuel
S
Crijns
Harry J G M
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002309:Cardiology / Q000592:standards; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications; D004452:Echocardiography; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012955:Societies, Medical; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents