Publications by authors named "G W Benninger"

Despite remarkable advances in antiarrhythmic drugs, ablation procedures, and stroke-prevention strategies, atrial fibrillation (AF) remains an important cause of death and disability in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Unstructured management of patients with AF sharply contrasts with our detailed, although incomplete, knowledge of the mechanisms that cause AF and its complications. Altered calcium homeostasis, atrial fibrosis and ageing, ion-channel dysfunction, autonomic imbalance, fat-cell infiltration, and oxidative stress, in addition to a susceptible genetic background, contribute to the promotion, maintenance, and progression of AF.

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Article Synopsis
  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects at least 30 million people globally and is associated with significant health risks like strokes, heart failure, and high mortality rates, even with existing treatments.
  • There is a critical need to improve preventive measures and identify treatable causes of AF, as many cases remain undiagnosed or poorly managed.
  • The fifth Atrial Fibrillation Network conference focused on enhancing AF care through collaboration, patient-centered approaches, structured management, quality improvement, and personalized treatment plans, alongside outlining key research priorities for AF.
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Background And Aims: The multichannel blocker dronedarone is currently indicated for the maintenance of sinus rhythm after successful cardioversion in adult clinically stable patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), with careful monitoring of cardiac, hepatic and renal function. We aimed to investigate patients' quality of life (QoL) and tolerability and effectiveness of dronedarone under real life conditions.

Methods: In the 1-year prospective, non-interventional IMPULS study, 161 office-based cardiologists, general practitioners and internists throughout Germany documented 549 patients with AF who were currently or newly prescribed dronedarone (safety set, SS).

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The management of atrial fibrillation (AF) has seen marked changes in past years, with the introduction of new oral anticoagulants, new antiarrhythmic drugs, and the emergence of catheter ablation as a common intervention for rhythm control. Furthermore, new technologies enhance our ability to detect AF. Most clinical management decisions in AF patients can be based on validated parameters that encompass type of presentation, clinical factors, electrocardiogram analysis, and cardiac imaging.

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