AFNOR – Atrial fibrillation in Norway

AFNOR is a registry-based collaborative project between Norwegian institute of public health and Bærum hospital in Norway.

Akershus Cardiac Examination (ACE) 1950 Study

A prospective, population-based, cohort study of the cardio- and cerebrovascular health of all men and women born in 1950 in Akershus County, Norway. A collaboration project between the Bærum Hospital and Akershus university Hospital. Several substudies ongoing.

Atrial Fibrillation and Lifestyle Factors in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (The HUNT Study)

A substudy of the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (The HUNT Study)  investigating the associations between atrial fibrillation and lifestyle factors such as physical activity, obesity, alcohol intake and genetic variations.

Atrial fibrillation: A prospective population-based study of risk factors and consequences, focusing on echocardiographic measures, stroke and cognitive function in the Tromsø study.

A PhD project investigating diastolic dysfunction as a predictor of atrial fibrillation, atrial fibrillation as a predictor of stroke in relation to CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, and atrial fibrillation as a predictor of cognitive function in people who have not had a stroke.

Atrial fibrillation in the Tromsø Study 1986-2017: incidence trends, contribution of risk factors and prognostic outcomes.

The project aims to study the natural history of atrial fibrillation. The findings may identify strategies for risk lowering of atrial fibrillation development and outcomes and change clinical practice.

Birkebeiner Ageing Study

The Birkebeiner Ageing Study is investigating ageing, disease and functional decline among the fittest elderly people in Norway. Substudies are investigating the associations between long-term endurance sport practice and risk of atrial fibrillation.

Birkebeiner II Study

Birkebeiner-II is clinical a follow-up study of the Birkebeiner Studies (The Birkebeiner Ageing Study and the Birkebeiner Atrial Fibrillation Study) at Diakonhjemmet Hospital. Data from the Birkebeiner Studies demonstrated that participation in endurance sports is associated with increased risk of atrial fibrillation in men. Birkebeiner-II aims to assess biomarkers associated with AF in veteran endurance athletes.

Blood pressure, blood pressure trends and risk of atrial fibrillation in the Tromsø Study

A study of how blood pressure and blood pressure trends over time impact the incidence of atrial fibrillation in both genders and different age groups in the Tromsø study.

Body weight, BMI, atrial fibrillation and prognostic outcomes in the Tromsø Study

A study investigating how baseline body weight and BMI and changes in body weight and BMI impact the incidence and prognosis of AF and types of AF in The Tromsø Study.

Genetics in Atrial Fibrillation (GENAF)

A study investigating genetic factors in patients who had atrial fibrillation before the age of 50 years. A collaboration project between Bærum Hospital and Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Investigation of potential causal associations and mechanisms between vitamin D, hypertension and atrial fibrillation using Mendelian randomization approaches

Aim to clarify causal associations and the underlying pathway between vitamin D, hypertension and AF risk. We hypothesize that low vitamin D leads to a higher risk of hypertension which further leads to a higher risk of AF (low vitamin D → hypertension → AF).

Left atrial strain as a predictor for atrial fibrillation

Novel echocardiographic measures based on speckle tracking analyses of the left atrium have shown promise as prognosticators in valvular heart disease, ischemic heart disease and atrial fibrillation, among others. An extensive echocardiographic examination was performed at baseline of the ACE 1950 study cohort.

Left atrial volumes as predictors of incident atrial fibrillation.

This PhD project investigates echocardiographic predictors of incident atrial fibrillation. At baseline in the Akershus Cardiac Examination (ACE) 1950 cohort study, left atrial volume was measured at its maximum and its minimum size. From the two volumetric measurements, left atrial emptying fraction was calculated. In this project we will explore the ability of these three parameters to predict incident atrial fibrillation at follow-up.

Mechanisms of Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms

A study investigating potential mechanisms behind atrial fibrillation symptoms. A collaboration study between Bærum Hospital, Oslo University Hospital and Lund University Hospital, Sweden.

The Norwegian EXercise and Atrial Fibrillation Inititative (NEXAF)

The Norwegian EXercise and Atrial Fibrillation Initiative (NEXAF) is a collaborative project within afib.no addressing research questions related to exercise and atrial fibrillation.

OMega-3 fatty acids in Elderly patients with Myocardial Infarction (OMEMI)

A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study investigating the effects of 2 years supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids on major cardiovascular events in elderly patients after acute myocardial infarction. Atrial fibrillation is secondary outcome. A collaboration project between Oslo University Hospital, Akershus University Hospital and Bærum Hospital.

Physical activity and the heart during ageing

A study investigating the role of physical activity in age-related adverse cardiac changes in the Tromsø Study, with focus on atrial fibrillation and mechanisms underlying cardiac effects of physical activity.

PRediction and detection of Occult Atrial fibrillation in patients after acute Cryptogenic stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack (PROACTIA)

The PROACTIA study is a prospective event-driven observational study with the main aim to build and evaluate a composite scoring system to predict the occurrence of atrial fibrillation during follow-up in patients after cryptogenic stroke or TIA.

Predictors for recurrence of atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion (PRE-ELECTRIC)

A prospective, observational cohort study, and a minimum of 200 patients with persistent AF will be included. The study will investigate new potential predictors for AF recurrence and the feasibility of patient-managed ECG-recordings to diagnose AF recurrence after cardioversion.

Rate Control in Atrial Fibrillation (RATAF II)

A randomized, prospective, parallel group study to compare the effects of 6 months’ rate control treatment with metoprolol or diltiazem on levels of NT-proBNP and exercise capacity in permanent atrial fibrillation. A collaboration project between Bærum Hospital, Ringerike Hospital and Drammen Hospital.

Risk factors, quality of life and prognostic outcomes associated with specific types of atrial fibrillation; the Tromsø Study.

The main aim of this project is to explore atrial fibrillation types in relation to underlying risk factors, quality of life and prognosis.

Sleep Disordered Breathing in Patients With Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

A randomized study investigating the effect of treatment for sleep apnea on atrial fibrillation burden in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and recurrence of atrial fibrillation after ablation.

The Norwegian Atrial Fibrillation Screening Study (AFstudien.no)

The general aim of The Norwegian Atrial Fibrillation Screening study is to investigate the yield of AF screening with a continuous patch ECG monitor (ECG247) and to estimate the prevalence of silent AF in a cohort of 65-year-old individuals with additional risk factors for stroke.

The Southern Norway Post-Stroke Atrial Fibrillation Study

The general aim of The Southern Norway Post-Stroke Atrial Fibrillation Study is to investigate the continuous patch ECG monitor (ECG247) AF screening device in an acute stroke population. Our primary goal is to improve the diagnostics of atrial fibrillation in this group of patients, regarding both the precision and efficiency of the diagnostic process.

Troponins in Atrial Fibrillation (TROPAF)

A study investigating the role of high sensitivity troponin I in atrial fibrillation in different clinical settings. A collaboration study between Bærum Hospital and Center for Clinical Heart Research.

Use of warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation in Norway based on the nationwide prescription register (NorPD)

A study investigating trends in the use of oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation in Norway based on data from the nationwide prescription register.

Women’s reproductive health and risk of atrial fibrillation in the HUNT study

The overall aim of this project is to investigate the association between women’s reproductive health and risk for atrial fibrillation later in life by linking data from the longitudinal, population-based HUNT study to information about pregnancy and birth from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway and to validated diagnoses of atrial fibrillation.