Webcast for AF Stat™: A Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation (Afib)

September 10, 2009 5:21 AM CT

This webcast is for those in the afib patient, caregiver, and stakeholder communities who want to learn more to help them raise awareness of atrial fibrillation and to advocate for appropriate care.

This session will not cover medical treatment, but will instead focus on the impact of afib and what must be done to address the growing challenge.

WEBCAST: September 16, 2009  11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. EST

AF Stat™:  A Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
Working Together to Improve Patient Outcomes & Address the Cost Burden

UPDATED 12-15-09: The AF Stat Webcast is now online — learn more at: AF Stat™ Webcast Video Presents Priorities to Improve Atrial Fibrillation Patient Care

THE WEBCAST

The AF Stat Webcast will feature the AF Stat Call to Action, a roadmap identifying ways to lessen the burden of atrial fibrillation (AFib) on patients and the healthcare system. Also, Avalere Health will discuss their new report on AFib’s impact on the Medicare system.

The webcast features:

  • Senator Bill Frist, MD, former Senate Majority Leader and Health Policy Advisor for AF Stat and AFib Patient and NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West
  • AF Stat Call to Action, based on a series of interviews with AFib stakeholders, provides recommendations for improving patient outcomes, quality, management, education and policy
  • Avalere’s report, Medicare and AFib: Consequences in Cost & Care, details the overall financial impact of atrial fibrillation on Medicare

THE SPEAKERS

  • Senator Bill Frist, MD, Former Majority Leader, U.S. Senate and Health Policy Advisor, AF Stat
  • Jerry West, AFib Patient and NBA Hall of Famer
  • Eric Prystowsky, MD, Medical Chair, AF Stat and St. Vincent Hospital
  • Julie Harvill, Lead Consultant, National Forum for Heart Disease
  • Perry Bridger, Vice President, Avalere Health
  • Other leading cardiovascular experts

ABOUT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Characterized by an irregular and frequently fast heartbeat, atrial fibrillation is the most common form of heart arrhythmia. It affects approximately 2.5 million Americans, and its prevalence is expected to increase as the U.S. population ages.1

AFib is associated with a five-fold increase in risk for stroke; worsens underlying cardiovascular disease; and doubles the risk of all-cause mortality. 2,3

AFib costs the nation $6.65 billion annually, much of which could be attributed to the increased hospital in-patient, emergency and medical services utilization rates for people with AFib. 4

ABOUT AF STAT

AF Stat is a collaboration of health care leaders and organizations working to improve the health and well-being of people affected by atrial fibrillation. AF Stat will raise awareness of AFib as a complex, costly, progressive and often debilitating disease. It also is calling for and helping promote a change in attitudes and behaviors to enhance AFib understanding, diagnosis and management. AF Stat is an initiative sponsored by sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC.

Learn About AF Stat

 

1 Go, A. Prevalence of Atrial Fibrillation in Adults: National Implications for Rhythm Management and Stroke Prevention: The Anticoagulation and Risk Factors in Atrial Fibrillation (ATRIA) Study. JAMA, May 9, 2001- Vol 285, No. 18.

2 Wolf PA, Abbott RD, Kannel, WB. Atrial fibrillation as an independent risk factor for stroke: the Framingham Study. Stroke. 1991; 22; 983-988.

3 Benjamin EJ, Wolf PA, D’Agostino RB, Silbershatz H, Kannel WB, Levy D. Impact of atrial fibrillation on the risk of death: the Framingham Heart Study. Circulation. 1998; 98:946-952.

4 Coyne KS, Paramore C, Grandy S, Mercader M, Reynolds MR, Zimetbaum P. Assessing the direct costs of treating nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in the United States. Value Health. 2006; 9:348–356.