Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice affecting about 0.5 – 1% of the European population. AF is related with frequent symptoms, and also increases morbidity and mortality. AF is moreover responsible for frequent physician visits and hospitalisations leading to high cost, that are markedly greater than for any other arrhythmia.
Although knowledge on the mechanistic basis for and treatment strategies of AF have been expanded substantially over the past two decades, knowledge relative to its high prevalence in the general population and the still unsatisfactory management has been slow to progress.
Several important scientific contributions in the exploration of AF using different ECG analysis techniques came from Northern Europe, implying that there is a solid tradition which forms the basis for further investigations according to this proposal. Advances in AF research have been accomplished by diverse European groups from different specialities, without an opportunity to collate and assimilate new information. The development of a cohesive or shared strategy is an important need in AF research and could result in more rapid advances in this field.
The present network is, by its very essence, multidisciplinary, and takes full advantage of the unrivalled expertise of 6 participating institutions from 5 European countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Germany) covering the field of cardiac electrophysiology with a special emphasis on developing and applying different ECG signal processing techniques.
The main activity of this programme is directed to educate and train junior researchers in complementary research methods not available to them at their institution through exchange grants. This initiative is further enhanced by short visiting grants for senior researchers. The goal of both activities is, on the one hand, transfer of knowledge, on the other hand, they are intended to initiate joint research projects that make use of complementary research methods and foster a Nordic network survey.
Page Manager: Monica Magnusson
Last modified: 2010-04-26
