Global Experts Share Cutting-Edge Insights on Atrial Fibrillation at Vessel Plus Webinar

On August 12, 2025 (Beijing Time), Vessel Plus successfully hosted an international webinar titled “Atrial Fibrillation in Cardiovascular Disease: Diagnosis and Therapeutic Advances” via Zoom meeting. The event brought together world-renowned cardiologists to share the latest perspectives on atrial fibrillation (AF).

Prof. Tong Liu, from the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University (China), chaired the webinar and emphasized the urgent need for multidisciplinary strategies to address the rising prevalence and clinical complexity of AF.

Distinguished speakers included:

Prof. Harry Crijns, Department of Cardiology and CARIM, Maastricht University Medical Centre (The Netherlands), who discussed “Patterns of AF – Implications for Care and Research.” He highlighted how evolving AF phenotypes can inform personalized treatment strategies and guide future research.

Prof. Fausto Pinto, Cardiovascular Department, University Hospital Sta Maria and Cardiovascular Center, University of Lisbon (Portugal), who presented on “Optimizing Anticoagulation Treatment in Atrial Fibrillation.” He provided insights into balancing stroke prevention and bleeding risk, underscoring the importance of precision medicine in anticoagulant therapy.

Prof. Mingfang Li, Division of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University (China), who introduced findings from the MIRACLE-AF trial. Her presentation showcased a novel integrated care model designed to improve cardiovascular outcomes for older AF patients in rural China.

The webinar drew a diverse global audience of clinicians, researchers, and early-career scholars. Interactive Q&A sessions encouraged lively discussion on best practices, new therapeutic approaches, and ongoing clinical trials. Key exchanges included:

• Prof. Harry Crijns addressed the controversy over including female sex in the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, noting its potential to refine risk stratification but also its risk of overtreatment.
• Prof. Fausto Pinto emphasized that anticoagulation decisions should be based on CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores rather than AF patterns alone.
• Prof. Mingfang Li highlighted the value of telemedicine in bridging rural healthcare gaps in China and stressed the need for further research on low-dose anticoagulation in Asian populations, along with external validation of the MIRACLE-AF care model.

The success of this event reflects Vessel Plus’s commitment to advancing academic dialogue, fostering global collaboration, and promoting innovative solutions in cardiovascular medicine. By connecting leading experts with the wider medical community, the journal continues to serve as a platform for disseminating cutting-edge research and supporting evidence-based clinical practice.

A full recording of the webinar is available on the Vessel Plus website: Watch here. Stay tuned for future events that strengthen our mission to drive progress in cardiovascular health.

Editor: Sherry Davis
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Ting Xu
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of Vessel Plus