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Together with several German partners, Radboud university medical center is aiming to enhance the care surrounding atrial fibrillation. The focus of the researchers is on offering an easy applicable, home-based rehabilitation, encouraging patients with atrial fibrillation to become active within their home environment. Through this approach, they aim to improve both the quality of life and care for this large patient group.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder, affecting 6% of the population, and significantly increases the risk of conditions such as heart failure, stroke, and dementia, while also reducing quality of life. As a result, atrial fibrillation has a major impact on patients, healthcare costs, and society as a whole. When medication proves insufficient, these patients may undergo surgery to restore their heart rhythm. Unfortunately, within one year, atrial fibrillation reoccurs in 25-50% of patients, highlighting the need for new and effective treatment methods.
Dick Thijssen, professor of cardiovascular physiology at Radboudumc, has received a €717,000 grant from Interreg for research into the role of exercise in the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation. Regular exercise reduces the risk of complications for patients with atrial fibrillation and may also improve the outcomes of rhythm-restoring surgeries. However, exercise currently plays only a limited role in the care of atrial fibrillation patients. Therefore, we aim to investigate the role of exercise for these patients. In this project, Radboudumc is working closely with Dutch (Rijnstate, Maastricht University) and German partners (EVK Düsseldorf, Median AGZ Düsseldorf). We are combining cross-border expertise within a specialized center and focusing on the development and implementation of a home rehabilitation program to improve postoperative care for patients undergoing rhythm-restoring surgery for atrial fibrillation.
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Pauline Dekhuijzen
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