Framingham SHARe Atrial Fibrillation Cases through 2008 and Early Follow Up through 2007

IMPORTANT NOTE:The standard Framingham Heart Study adjudicated data for this endpoint can be found elsewhere on this website.

The atrial fibrillation dataset was obtained from original cohort exams 1-29, offspring exams 1-8. Datasets were generated by using data abstracted from clinical exam datasets and medical records of the FHS participants (medical records were obtained from outside sources such as MD visit, hospital etc.) FHS investigators used this data together with critical judgment, which included a second chart review to create a secondary dataset. All cases have been routinely ascertained by a formal protocol.

The data set (affu_2007s) was created by Renate B. Schnabel, MD, MSc to document early follow up after AF.

• All ECGs within one year of the initial AF were reviewed. There is one representative ECG per medical encounter. However, in cases where there was a transition between AF and other rhythms there is more than one representative ECG per medical encounter.
• If no AF case by ECG or history was found within one year, then the next AF occurrence was identified (if one existed). In most cases, there is only one occurrence AF per id. However, occasionally there are additional cases.
• If initial AF case was by history only, all subsequent AF cases were coded (one year and beyond). This was done to establish the credibility of the initial AF by history.

In 1948, researchers recruited men and women from the town of Framingham, Massachusetts, beginning the first round of extensive physical examinations and lifestyle interviews that would later be analyzed for common patterns related to CVD development. EKG tracings have been available for every participant since the beginning of the FHS.

Initially, the Framingham Heart Study enrolled 5,209 men and women from the Framingham area who were between the ages of 28 and 62 years. Beginning in 1971, the Framingham Heart Study enrolled 5,124 men and women, who were either offspring of the original cohort or spouses of those offspring. In 2002, 4,095 third generation participants (men and women) were enrolled.

• Study Weblinks:
  • The Framingham Heart Study
  • Framingham risk score to predict risk of incident atrial fibrillation
  • Framingham atrial fibrillation stroke or death risk prediction model
• Study Design:
  • Prospective Longitudinal Cohort
• Study Type:
  • Longitudinal
  • Case-Control
• Total number of consented subjects: 10126
• Subject Sample Telemetry Report (SSTR)

Cases are participants with manifestation of atrial fibrillation (paroxysmal, persistent or permanent). Referents are all participants of the FHS. Atrial Fibrillation cases were studied in the Original cohorts from exam 1-29 and the Offspring cohorts from exam 1-8.

Atrial Fibrillation (or flutter) cases were studied in the original cohorts from exam 1-29 and the offspring cohorts from exam 1-8.

The Original cohort began Exam 1 in 1948 (9/1948 - 4/1953) and has continued with biennial examinations to the present. Exam 29 was performed from 4/2006 - 12/2007.

The Offspring cohort began Exam 1 in 1971 (8/1971 - 9/1975) and has on average been examined every 3 to 4 years since enrollment. However, there was an eight year window between Exam 1 and Exam 2. Exam 8 was performed from 3/2005 - 1/25/2008.

The Generation 3 cohort Exam 1 was performed 4/2002 - 7/2005.

Examination of all three cohorts is ongoing.

• Primary Phenotype: Cardiovascular System
• Atrial Fibrillation
• Atrial Flutter

• Joint Principal Investigators
  • Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, ScM. Boston University School of Medicine , Boston, MA, USA and The Framingham Heart Study.
  • Patrick T. Ellinor, MD, PhD. Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
• Medical Director, Framingham Heart Study
  • Daniel Levy, MD. Center for Population Studies, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.
• Principal Investigator
  • Philip A. Wolf, MD. Boston University School of Medicine , Boston, MA, USA and The Framingham Heart Study.
• Co-Investigators
  • Thomas J. Wang, MD. Cardiology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA and The Framingham Heart Study.
  • Renate B. Schnabel, MD. Boston University School of Medicine , Boston, MA, USA and The Framingham Heart Study.
• Senior Investigator
  • William B. Kannel, MD. Boston University School of Medicine , Boston, MA, USA and The Framingham Heart Study.
• Funding Source
  • NHLBI 1R01HL092577-01A1, Identification of Common Genetic Variants for Atrial Fibrillation and PR interval,. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
  • NIA 1R01 AG028321 Aging and Inflammation: Longitudinal Markers and Genetics in the Framingham Study. National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethedsa, MD, USA.
  • NHLBI N01-HC 25195 The Framingham Heart Study, Physical Examination, Testing and Surveillance. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
  • NINDS 5R01-NS-17950-22 Precursors of Stroke Incidence and Prognosis. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethedsa, MD, USA.
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) Research Fellowship SCHN 1149/1-1 Genetics and Epidemiology of Atrial Fibrillation in the Framingham Heart Study, Bonn, Germany.
  • American Heart Association National Clinical Research Program, Scientist Development Grant. P Wave Indices: Characterization, Correlation and Association with Atrial Fibrillation, 2009-2014. American Heart Association, National Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
  • American Heart Association National Clinical Research Program, Fellow-to-Faculty Program. The Epidemiology and Genetic Associations of P Wave Indices. American Heart Association, National Center, Dallas, TX, USA.