Grant: Project Grant

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common irregular heart rhythm and is associated with significant increased risk of stroke, and overall mortality. To improve of survival and quality of life, risk scores have been tested for their ability to also predict all-cause mortality. Clinical factors and biomarkers have been tested for improving the predictive ability of scores with limited results and have not been tested in males and females separately. While biological sex has been reported to play an important role in clinical outcomes of AF, the role of gendered social determinants of health in the assessment of adverse outcomes have not been fully explored. The factors including gender roles, relations and institutional policy must be taken into consideration in males and females to better understand the risk of overall adverse events and to support the move towards a patient-centered approach in AF care. The overall aim of this study is to improve our understanding of the relationship between gendered social determinants of health and adverse outcomes in AF patients and to determine sex specific risks. We will analyze a large cohort of AF patients that has collected the necessary information on clinical factors, social determinants, and relevant outcomes to test different models and arrive at identifying the best predictors of outcome to develop sex specific interventions to improve the care of AF patients. Despite major improvements in treatments, patients with AF still face a high risk of mortality. The role of gendered social determinants in predicting risks of stroke, major bleeding, cardiovascular adverse events, and all-cause mortality has yet to be evaluated. Sex specific models for adverse clinical outcomes in AF have not been developed. The current project will fill these knowledge gaps and provide a platform for the integrated interdisciplinary management of AF patients.