Examination of novel risk markers for atrial fibrillation

At University Heart Centre Hamburg we have established obserational cohorts to investigate incidence and outcome of atrial fibrillation. Cohorts range from population-based individuals to patients at risk of developing atrial fibrillation, lone atrial fibrillation, and postoperative new-onset disease. In the DZHK project we perform epidemiological analyses that examine classical risk factors and novel risk markers for atrial fibrillation. Our aim is to improve the understanding of the disease pathophysiology and its natural history. In pre-defined subgroups we try to improve risk prediction beyond existing risk algorithms. In addition, by our well-characterized cohorts we provide a clinical-epidemiological basis for a fast translation of basic research findings into the clinical setting.