Addressing multimorbidity in elderly atrial fibrillation patients through interdisciplinary, tailored, patient-centered care pathways (EHRA-PATHS)

 The project

EHRA-PATHS will create well-founded, innovative systematic care pathways to tackle multimorbidity in elderly AF patients. Its premise is that a well-structured, interdisciplinary, and patient-tailored care program is feasible throughout all healthcare systems in Europe, adapted to local needs and possibilities, and is effective to optimize outcomes.

The consortium is composed of 14 partners, led by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and its constituent the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA). Professor Hein Heidbuchel from the University of Antwerp and Past-President of the European Heart Rhythm Association (2018-2020) is the Scientific Coordinator.

Press release

Work packages

The EHRA-PATHS project consists of eight work packages.

Work package 1 aims at characterising multimorbidity, polypharmacy and sex-related aspects in AF patients. Work Package 2 aims at mapping current clinical practice for the management of multimorbid elderly AF patients in Europe and identifying unmet gaps and needs.

The main objective of work package 3 is to design and develop new care pathways for individual co-morbidities, while work package 4 will integrate those into a unified programme that can be implemented throughout European hospitals. Work package 5 will consist of a clinical trial, evaluating the impact on the holistic care of multimorbid AF patients. Work package 6 and work package 7 will deliver activities related to communication, dissemination, and project management. Finally, the objective of work package 8 is to ensure compliance with the 'ethics requirements' with European regulatory frameworks.

Consortium

• European Society of Cardiology
• Universitair Ziekenhuis Antwerpen
• Universiteit Hasselt 
• Academisch Ziekenhuis Groningen
• Universiteitt Maastricht
• Leipzig Heart Institute Gmbh
• Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade 
• Universitat Zurich
• Region Stockholm
• King's College London
• The Adelaide & Meath Hopital Dublin Incorporating The National Children's Hospital
• Narodowy Instytut Kardiologii Stefana Kardynala Wysznskiego - Panstwowy Institut Badawczy
• Servicio Madrileno De Salud
• Catalyze B.V.

Publications

The Challenge of managing multimorbid atrial fibrillation: a pan-European, EHRA member survey of current management practices and clinical priorities (July 2022)

Funding acknowledgement

The project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement 945260.