The Heart Rhythm Society and Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. award $500,000 in grants to support quality improvement innovation in atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention

SAN FRANCISCO, May 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced today that Mark H. Eckman, MD, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, and Steven A. Lubitz, MD, MPH, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, were awarded the Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Quality Improvement (QI) Innovation Grant. The grant support will help innovation and advancement in atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention through research aimed at addressing National QI priorities. Dr. Eckman won for his proposal on Shared Decision-Making Tool for Thromboprophylaxis in Atrial Fibrillation and Dr. Lubitz won for his proposal on Automated Physician Notifications to Improve Guideline-Based Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation. They presented to an expert panel during Heart Rhythm 2016, the Heart Rhythm Society's 37th Annual Scientific Sessions.

Through this effort, Drs. Eckman and Lubitz will collectively receive $500,000 in grants based on the submitted proposals that outline how they will affect the behaviors and performance of patients, providers and/or systems that, when combined with existing standards and practical approaches to care, may enhance patient outcomes. For details on the winners and their proposals, visit www.hrsonline.org/AFibGrant.

"The applications were very innovative and the level of quality was truly impressive. It was inspiring to see such novel ideas and approaches that have the ability to advance the electrophysiology field," said John Day, MD, FHRS, president of the Heart Rhythm Society. "At next year's annual meeting, we will welcome back Drs. Eckman and Lubitz to share the outcomes of their grant awards and how they have used the grants to help evolve the ways we work to prevent atrial fibrillation and stroke and, ultimately, improve overall patient care."

HRS members served as the decision-making panelists. The initial review of applications took place April 19-26, 2016. Thirty-five applications were received and six finalists presented their proposals to the expert panel from 4:30-6:30 p.m. PDT on May 5 in San Francisco during Heart Rhythm 2016. Drs. Eckman and Lubitz will present their outcomes at Heart Rhythm 2017, taking place in Chicago in May 2017.

"Collaborating with the scientific community is a priority for us in improving patient outcomes," said Azhar Ahmad, executive director, Clinical Development & Medical Affairs, Cardiovascular, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. "We welcome the opportunity to support these researchers in advancing our understanding of atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention." 

About the Heart Rhythm Society

The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients, and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education and optimal health care policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, DC, it has a membership of more than 5,800 heart rhythm professionals in more than 72 countries around the world.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation.

Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, the company operates globally with 146 affiliates and more than 47,000 employees. Since its founding in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel treatments for human and veterinary medicine.

Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to improving lives and providing valuable services and support to patients and families. Our employees create and engage in programs that strengthen our communities. To learn more about how we make more health for more people, visit our Corporate Social Responsibility Report.

In 2014, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about $16.96 billion dollars (13.3 billion euros). R&D expenditure corresponds to 19.9 percent of its net sales.

For more information, please visit www.us.boehringer-ingelheim.com, or follow us on Twitter @BoehringerUS.  

Media Contact: Allison Kassel 
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Lauren Murphy 
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SOURCE Heart Rhythm Society

Related Links

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