Atrial Fibrillation Innovation Center - Importance of AF Research

	Read the AFIC State Report
	Ranked America's #1 Heart Center U.S. News & World Report

What is the mission of AFIC?

To improve the health and quality of life for individuals with AF by developing break-through solutions for the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of AF.

To facilitate the introduction of new devices and drugs for treating AF into the marketplace by fostering collaborations with industry and clinical partners.

To drive the growth of the region’s biomedical industry by establishing and supporting new ventures that utilize AFIC’s intellectual property and advance AFIC’s innovations.

Why invest in the development of new AF therapies?

Atrial fibrillation, a dangerous electrical disturbance of the heart, has reached epidemic proportions. 2.2 million Americans, including 100,000 Ohioans, are estimated to suffer from AF. AF is not usually immediately life threatening, but it is a quality-of-life altering ailment, and is associated with a dramatically increased risk of stroke and death. Individuals suffering from AF are 5-7 times more likely to suffer a stroke. In fact, AF is estimated to be the cause of nearly 20% of all strokes.

While many advances have been made in the drug, device and surgical treatment of AF there is still no cure for most AF. Development of novel therapeutics and basic research into the mechanism(s) of AF are needed to advance our understanding and develop effective, curative, therapies.

Learn more in our AFIC Overview

The Atrial Fibrillation Innovation Center is an Ohio Wright Center of Innovation supported by a grant from the state of Ohio's Third Frontier Project.