title: The Registry of the German Competence NETwork on Atrial Fibrillation: patient characteristics and initial management.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) enrolled in the Central Registry of the German Competence NETwork on Atrial Fibrillation (AFNET) and to assess current medical practice in patients treated at various levels of medical care in Germany.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From February 2004 to March 2006, 9582 ambulatory and hospitalized patients with ECG-documented AF were enrolled by 194 participating study centres from all levels of medical care in Germany. Clinical type of AF was reported as paroxysmal in 2893, persistent in 1873, and permanent in 3134 patients or classified as a first episode in 1035 patients. Predisposing conditions were common and present in 87.6% of the patients. Most patients were symptomatic with AF (75.1%). Rhythm control in persistent AF was provided to 53.4% of the symptomatic patients and to 47.8% of the patients without symptoms. Anticoagulation for stroke prevention was given to 71.4% of the patients considered eligible by applicable guidelines and to 48.4% of patients with low risk where guidelines do not recommend anticoagulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This registry provides insight into current medical care of patients with AF in Germany. The use of oral anticoagulation in eligible patients was among the highest reported, whereas decisions on rate and rhythm control often do not follow current recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Campus Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistr. 15, D-81377 Munich, Germany. michael.nabauer@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nabauer
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gerth
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Limbourg
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oeff
authors.forename: Paulus
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kirchhof
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goette
authors.forename: Thorsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lewalter
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ravens
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Meinertz
authors.forename: Günter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Breithardt
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Steinbeck
mesh_terms: D055011:Ablation Techniques; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004452:Echocardiography; D004554:Electric Countershock / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants