Translational Research and Training on Atrial Cardiomyopathy as a Key to Better Atrial Fibrillation Management

forthcoming

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a complex cardiac arrhythmia with multifactorial causes and poses significant global healthcare challenges due to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The TrackAF project will train 15 researchers to address gaps in our understanding of AF, atrial cardiomyopathy (ACM) their management and consequences by integrating advanced data-driven and mechanistic computational modelling, clinical AI and wet-lab research with a focus on extended time scales of AF aetiology and progression. Systematic identification of their longitudinal effects of age and sex on AF progression and treatment outcomes remains challenging. The 2024 European AF guidelines highlight evidence gaps, including the variability in AF and ACM evolution and the need for personalised risk prediction. TrackAF will bridge these gaps through a comprehensive, interdisciplinary and intersectoral research and training program to develop innovative approaches to AF prevention, diagnosis and treatment, supporting key health policies and contributing to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Our objectives include enhancing AF prediction and risk stratification using novel biomarkers, refining diagnostic techniques by multimodal stratification and improving acute and long-term management and treatment outcomes through integration of mechanistic and data-driven decision-support models. TrackAF's doctoral training will produce medical scientists with expertise in AF through a balanced structure of core research, formal training and practical secondments. This interdisciplinary approach gives doctoral candidates the ideal preparation for diverse career paths in medical science by integrating technical, ethical and legal aspects of medical research to foster innovation and collaboration across academia, industry and healthcare. The TrackAF outcomes will contribute to reducing the burden of AF and thereby improve patient quality of life across Europe and beyond.