On Tuesday, July 23rd, the innovative PERSUADE project was launched to transform the treatment and management of persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). Supported by the ERA4Health partnership, this international collaboration brings together leading experts to address the urgent need for innovative solutions to this heart condition.
The consortium, composed of the Foundation for the Management of Biomedical Research Cádiz (FCADIZ), the University Medical Center of Amsterdam, the Carol Davila Hospital in Bucharest, the University of Valencia, and the Polytechnic University of Milan, leverages a wide range of expertise in complex cardiac arrhythmia treatment and bioengineering. By combining rigorous clinical research, computational modeling, and artificial intelligence, PERSUADE aims to redefine the standard of care for patients with persistent AF.
Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition affecting millions of people worldwide, significantly increasing the risk of stroke and mortality. PERSUADE will focus on understanding the atrial fibrotic substrate to develop personalized treatment strategies. Additionally, on July 5th, INIBICA and the Trébol de Corazones Cardiac Association, as part of the PERSUADE consortium, joined forces to ensure that the research is innovative, ethical, and patient-centered, with the goal of significantly improving the quality of life for people affected by atrial fibrillation.
“A better understanding of the mechanisms that cause atrial fibrillation will allow us to identify new treatment targets and improve therapeutic strategies, making them more effective and accessible. This will significantly improve the burden of disease for patients and health systems, benefiting society as a whole,” according to project coordinator Etel Silva.