Clone of Association

AFNET was founded in 2003 as one of 21 research networks in Germany funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research and Education (BMBF).

Over the years, the national network has developed into an internationally recognised academic research organization dedicated to translational cardiovascular research and evaluating new therapies mainly focussing on atrial fibrillation.

During our 20th anniversary year in 2023 we will be prsent at a varity of events. Here you can find out where you can meet us in person.

The association Kompetenznetz Vorhofflimmern e.V. (AFNET) was founded in 2010 to continue the work of the research network Kompetenznetz Vorhofflimmern funded by the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) from 2003 to 2014. Since 2015 individual projects are (co-)funded by the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (Deutschen Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung, DZHK).

Membership is possible for physicians, scientists, hospitals, private practices, and companies.

AFNET – an academic research organisation committed to improving the lives of patients with cardiovascular diseases.

The mission of AFNET is to improve the lives of patients with cardiovascular diseases by generating knowledge on their mechanisms and evidence on effective and safe treatments.

Evidence from clinical and translational research has markedly improved the lives of patients with cardiovascular diseases. Yet, cardiovascular disease remains a major driver of premature death and morbidity. The aim of AFNET is to generate knowledge and novel evidence to sustain the improvement of cardiovascular care.

To achieve this, AFNET provides a platform to plan and execute non-commercial, typically low risk, investigator initiated controlled clinical trials, registries, and translational research projects that will inform better care of patients with heart disease. AFNET cooperates with credible and reliable partners to conduct its projects and obtains funding for its projects through public and/or private partnerships. AFNET has long expertise in the management of atrial fibrillation, but also provides support for work in other fields informing cardiovascular care.

You can download the articles of association of the Atrial Fibrillation NETwork (Kompetenznetz Vorhofflimmern e.V.) here.

As research network AFNET thrives by its cooperations. In the AFNET studies and projects scientists and physicians cooperation on a national, European and sometimes international level.

Since 2015 AFNET closely cooperates with the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung, DZHK). Within the scope of the strategic partnership AFNET and DZHK support each other in the conduct of their studies.

In addition, AFNET is in cooperation with various research institutes, e.g. the cardiology societies DGK (German Society for Cardiology) and ESC (European Society of Cardiology) as well as the German Heart Foundation (Deutsche Herzstiftung). Most AFNET studies involve external partners providing financial support for the conduct fo the study. These partners include pharmaceutical and medical device companies, companies providing mobile healt, health insurances and players in the public health system.

AFNET is open for new research cooperations. Institutions, companies and scientists are welcome to approach us with research ideas and project proposals. If you are interested in a cooperation with AFNET, please contact us at info@kompetenznetz-vorhofflimmern.de.

Below you find some of the institutions AFNET is a current cooperation with. The supporter of each study and project are listed on the respective study site.