The AFib Support Team, brought together by sanofi-aventis U.S., is a new national public awareness campaign that provides information for atrial fibrillation patients to help them manage their condition. The AFib Support Team is made up of an electrophysiologist, a cardiovascular nurse, a senior fitness expert and a lifestyle gerontologist. We talk to them about the initiative here.

Bradley P. Knight, MD, FACC, FHRS

What prompted the creation of the AFib Support Team initiative?
The primary driver to create this support team is to increase public awareness of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Increased awareness leads to a better educated public, more informed patients, and potentially more funding for AFib research. Despite there being about 3 million Americans with AFib, there is very little awareness of the problem. For example, we recently did a radio media tour to launch this national initiative, and it was interesting that none of the radio hosts themselves had ever heard of AFib and usually had difficulty even pronouncing it. More people know the term ‘H1N1’ now than ‘AFib’.

The initiative is intended to not just increase awareness of atrial fibrillation, but to make people aware that there are new therapies, including catheter ablation and antiarrhythmic drugs. It provides an additional resource for patients with AFib as a supplement to their interactions with health care providers. The sponsor is sanofi-aventis, which recently was given FDA approval for its new antiarrhythmic drug dronedarone. Although the website is sponsored by industry, the content is unbranded and discusses the full spectrum of therapies for patients with AFib.

Describe your role in this initiative.
I am the only physician involved. The team is also composed of a cardiovascular nurse, a lifestyle gerontologist, and a senior fitness expert. My role is to bring a physician’s perspective to the group, and to confirm the medical accuracy of the educational information provided to patients via the website.

What is unique about the AFib Support Team initiative?
This support team is unique in that it is a comprehensive initiative with a website that provides useful information for patients with AFib. There is an emphasis on the elderly, a population plagued by AFib.

What is most misunderstood by AFib patients about their condition? For example, what are some of the most commonly asked questions you receive from patients?
Most questions are based on a poor understanding of what AFib actually is. I think it is challenging for patients to understand the pathophysiology of AFib, because it requires a basic understanding of the anatomy and function of the heart, which itself is not widely understood. Part of the educational process with patients is teaching them how AFib differs from normal sinus rhythm and how that leads to symptoms and adverse events such as stroke and hospitalization.

Kathy Berra, MSN, ANP, FAANP:

How did you get involved in the AFib Support Team initiative?
I was invited to participate because of my involvement in cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation for many years. In addition, I am the past president of the American Association of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association. My professional career has been dedicated to reducing the risk for heart attack and stroke and to helping people live well with chronic diseases.