Sanofi-aventis and Gulf Heart Association launch First Regional Study of Arterial Fibrillation in UAE

The initiative launched was a united effort between the two parties and all the GCC countries, in addition to Yemen, to understand, manage, and establish the approximate prevalence of this cardiac disease.

Dr. Muhammed Zubaid, Principle Coordinating Center, Gulf Heart Association, is the lead investigator or head of SAFE along with approximately 50 doctors from across the seven countries. 2,000 patients suffering from arterial fibrillation will be involved in the study during its initial phase.

"We currently do not have facts and figures on the prevalence of this disease, but we do know it has a high prevalence. The aim of SAFE is first to find out the approximate incidence of arterial fibrillation; second, to learn how to better manage and control the disease and finally, to find out the burden of this disease on our health system."

commented Dr. Zubaid.

An important tactic of the campaign is the distribution of special web based data collection form to all hospitals in order to begin the input of patient data on arterial fibrillation. The software is the first step into creating a region-wide disease registry of the disease in order to establish its true prevalence or burden in each country.

The 2,000 patients involved initially, will have their data inputted into the web based data base and will create the base-line data needed to monitor the management and control of the disease in the one year follow-up.

The pilot phase of SAFE was launched around beginning of June 0-9 and will continue for only two weeks. Sanofi-aventis and the Gulf Heart Association will publish the results of the one month pilot phase in order to assess and set future study strategies. The second phase will begin in October 2009 until March 2010.

"This is quite a unique initiative, we have renowned doctors from all over the region partnering to combat and find a way to ease the burden of this potentially fatal disease. Sanofi-aventis is very proud to able to be part of such a dedicated team. Eventually our aim are to create improved guidelines to the management of arterial fibrillation in order to ease the patients suffering and improve their standards of living." said Jean-Marc Voissier.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm. It involves the fibrillating or quivering of the heart muscles, instead of coordinated contractions. AF can be diagnosed either by taking a pulse and observing that the heartbeats don't occur at regular intervals, or by conducting a electrocardiogram (ECG) which will indicate the absence of P waves - waves that are normally present in regular heart beats.

AF is an asymptomatic disease most of the time, it may result in palpitations, fainting, chest pain or congestive heart failure. People with AF usually have a significantly increased risk of stroke (up to 7 times that of the general population). The risk of developing AF increases with age, accounting for approximately 8% of people over the age of 80 years.