Berlin, April 10, 2024

The EHRA-PATHS consortium met in Berlin on April 9th and 10th following the EHRA Congress 2024, to discuss the latest updates on their collaborative research efforts in the project. This meeting saw representatives from various institutions come together to review progress made across different work packages, delve into methodological details, and address key project management and communication strategies.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the in-depth discussion on the methodologies employed, particularly in the recently initiated clinical trial within Work Package 5. This trial, designed to evaluate novel comorbidities management software tool versus a classic atrial fibrillation clinical management. This randomised trial drew significant attention from the project partners.

As EHRA-PATHS is a patient-centred project, we benefited from the insights of Jeremy Dwight, a member of the Patient Advisory Board.

The characterisation of comorbidities in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation was presented by Associate Professor Tatjana Potpara as a part of the Work Package 1, with a presentation on the take-home messages from the EORP data, with relevance for the EHRA-PATHS project.

In Work Package 2, we discussed the update and the feasibility on how to run the survey outside of the EU with the guidance of Dr. Geraldine Lee.

Work Packages 3 and 4 were presented by Rana Önder focusing on the design, development and implementation of new care pathways. This presentation comprised an overview of the software, and its approval by the EC and competent authorities. Demonstration of the software and latest updates and, finally, the first experience on use of the software within the trial.

Moreover, progress in communication and dissemination efforts was reviewed during the meeting. The consortium aims to disseminate research findings widely to maximize their impact on clinical practice and policy. Strategies for engaging with stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the general public, were discussed to ensure effective knowledge transfer and utilization.

In a unique twist, the consortium took advantage of the gathering to record a podcast episode. This episode will provide a platform for members to share their insights, discuss key findings, and engage with a broader audience beyond the confines of the meeting room. The podcast is expected to be released soon on ESC website.

As the meeting concluded, the consortium expressed optimism about the progress made thus far and reiterated their commitment to advancing research in multimorbidity in elderly atrial fibrillation patients.