Posted: 10th April 2025
In a significant step forward for cardiac care, Monash University has announced a $7 million grant to establish Australia’s first clinical quality registry for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. This initiative aims to enhance treatment outcomes for patients undergoing this complex procedure.
Led by The Alfred hospital’s Head of Electrophysiology, Professor Peter Kistler, The Australian Registry for the Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation (AuRA-AF) brings together Australia’s leading clinical experts and researchers in AF ablation, and leverages the world-class registry science expertise housed within Monash University’s Centre of Cardiovascular Research and Education in Therapeutics (CCRET).
The registry will bring together leading experts in electrophysiology, cardiology, and healthcare from across Australia. It will also focus on addressing disparities in access to AF ablation, particularly among First Nations Peoples, women, rural residents, and those in disadvantaged areas.
Professor Kistler emphasized the importance of equity and collaboration in this initiative, stating, “The vision for this registry is grounded in equity and partnerships – forged specifically to transform the safety and quality of AF care, and to address the unacceptable variation in access to ablation services we see currently.”
Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm disorder affecting around 500,000 Australians, leading to over 200,000 hospital admissions annually. If untreated, AF can increase the risk of blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other serious conditions. The project will leverage Monash University’s expertise in registry science to collect and analyze data, ultimately aiming to improve the safety and effectiveness of AF ablation procedures nationwide.
