SAECG · Prediction of AF incidence using PR interval measurements, echocardiographic data and biomarker profiles: Analyses within epidemiological Framingham Heart Study and LIFE Health Care Study cohorts

Atrial fibrillation (AF) may be categorized as an epidemic disease associated with an increased risk for heart failure, thromboembolism, dementia and mortality. The underlying mechanisms behind AF describe multiple pathological states leading to various remodeling processes. One of the easiest available diagnostical tools is an electrocardiogram (ECG). Numerous P wave indices have been identified, demonstrating associations with increased risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes and mortality. Prolonged signal-averaged P wave duration (SAPWD) measured from the non-invasive signal averaged electrocardiogram (SAECG) using a vector composite of filtered orthogonal leads accurately measures cardiac activation times. In comparison with analysis of a standard 12-lead ECG, the SAECG is superior in detection of P wave prolongation as a risk marker for AF. However, there are only limited data analyzing this issue.Current project is aimed to perform P wave SAECGs in Framingham Heart Study (Boston, US) and LIFE Health Care Study (Leipzig, Germany) and to investigate their role in AF incidence. Furthermore, estimation of corresponding lifetime risk will be performed using multistate modeling phenomapping of AF, e.g. classification of AF patients based on a broad range of data (clinical, laboratory, ECG, echocardiography, biomarkers) predicting adverse clinical outcomes.The current project represents an innovative and authentic multidisciplinary research in AF and includes different future perspectives. It paves the way for fruitful international cooperation with Framingham cohort - the one the most renowned epidemiological studies, intensive exchange of experience and researcher mobility as well as academical and practical implementation of cardiovascular epidemiology and prevention at European institution.