East meets West: Bringing the ESH 2023 hypertension guidelines into Asia.

Hypertension remains a major problem worldwide, especially across the Asia-Pacific region, which reports high prevalence rates and slow improvements in treatment rate and blood pressure (BP) control rate. Asian patients with hypertension may also vary with regard to phenotype and the epidemiology of the complications of hypertension, especially when compared with Western patients. Given these differences, Western guidelines may not necessarily be applicable to countries in the Asia Pacific. This narrative review aims to provide a critical comparison between the recently published European Society of Hypertension (ESH) 2023 guidelines and existing local guidelines in select Asian countries, offer expert opinion on how to fill gaps in the ESH 2023 guidelines for hypertension in the Asian context, and examine the need for harmonisation of hypertension guidelines worldwide. This review focuses on the definition and diagnosis of hypertension, the treatment thresholds and targets, and recommendations on the use of pharmacotherapy.

Prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension in Greece before and after the COVID-19 pandemic: May Measurement Month survey 2019-2022.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic had an adverse impact on several cardiovascular risk factors. This study investigated the prevalence, awareness and treatment of hypertension in Greece before and after the pandemic. Data were collected in the context of the May Measurement Month (MMM) global survey initiated by the International Society of Hypertension. METHODS: Adult volunteers (age ≥ 18 years) were recruited through opportunistic screening in public areas across cities in Greece in 2019 and 2022. Medical history and triplicate sitting blood pressure (BP) measurements were taken using validated automated upper-arm cuff devices. The data were uploaded to the international MMM cloud platform. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥ 140 mm Hg and/or diastolic ≥90 mm Hg and/or self-reported use of drugs for hypertension. The same threshold was used to define uncontrolled BP in treated individuals. RESULTS: Data from 12,080 adults were collected (5,727/6,353 in MMM 2019/2022; men 46/49%, p < 0.01; mean age 52.7 ± 16.6/54.8 ± 16.2, p < 0.001; smokers, 24.7/30.5, p < 0.001; diabetics 12/11.5%, p = NS; cardiovascular disease 5/5.8%, p = NS). The prevalence of hypertension was 41.6/42.6% (MMM 2019/2022, p = NS), with 21.3/27.5% of individuals with hypertension being unaware of their condition (p < 0.001), 5.6/2.4% aware untreated (p < 0.001), 24.8/22.1% treated uncontrolled (p < 0.05), and 48.3/47.8% treated controlled (p = NS). CONCLUSION: In Greece, the COVID-19 pandemic did not appear to affect the prevalence and control of hypertension; however, the rate of undiagnosed hypertension was higher after the pandemic. National strategies need to be implemented for the early detection and optimal management of hypertension in the general population in Greece.

Management of patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease referred to Hypertension Excellence Centres among 27 countries. On behalf of the European Society of Hypertension Working Group on Hypertension and the Kidney.

Objective Real-life management of patients with hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) among European Society of Hypertension Excellence Centres (ESH-ECs) is unclear : we aimed to investigate it. Methods A survey was conducted in 2023. The questionnaire contained 64 questions asking ESH-ECs representatives to estimate how patients with CKD are managed. Results Overall, 88 ESH-ECS representatives from 27 countries participated. According to the responders, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers, calcium-channel blockers and thiazides were often added when these medications were lacking in CKD patients, but physicians were more prone to initiate RAS blockers (90% [interquartile range: 70-95%]) than MRA (20% [10-30%]), SGLT2i (30% [20-50%]) or (GLP1-RA (10% [5-15%]). Despite treatment optimisation, 30% of responders indicated that hypertension remained uncontrolled (30% (15-40%) vs 18% [10%-25%]) in CKD and CKD patients, respectively). Hyperkalemia was the most frequent barrier to initiate RAS blockers, and dosage reduction was considered in 45% of responders when kalaemia was 5.5-5.9 mmol/L. Conclusions RAS blockers are initiated in most ESH-ECS in CKD patients, but MRA and SGLT2i initiations are less frequent. Hyperkalemia was the main barrier for initiation or adequate dosing of RAS blockade, and RAS blockers' dosage reduction was the usual management.

What is the context? Hypertension is a strong independent risk factor for development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and progression of CKD to ESKD. Improved adherence to the guidelines in the treatment of CKD is believed to provide further reduction of cardiorenal events. European Society of Hypertension Excellence Centres (ESH-ECs) have been developed in Europe to provide excellency regarding management of patients with hypertension and implement guidelines. Numerous deficits regarding general practitioner CKD screening, use of nephroprotective drugs and referral to nephrologists prior to referral to ESH-ECs have been reported. In contrast, real-life management of these patients among ESH-ECs is unknown. Before implementation of strategies to improve guideline adherence in Europe, we aimed to investigate how patients with CKD are managed among the ESH-ECs.What is the study about? In this study, a survey was conducted in 2023 by the ESH to assess management of CKD patients referred to ESH-ECs. The questionnaire contained 64 questions asking ESH-ECs representatives to estimate how patients with CKD are managed among their centres.What are the results? RAAS blockers are initiated in 90% of ESH-ECs in CKD patients, but the initiation of MRA and SGLT2i is less frequently done. Hyperkalemia is the main barrier for initiation or adequate dosing of RAAS blockade, and its most reported management was RAAS blockers dosage reduction. These findings will be crucial to implement strategies in order to improve management of patients with CKD and guideline adherence among ESH-ECs.

Screening and management of hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease referred to Hypertension Excellence Centres among 27 countries. A pilot survey based on questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: Real-life management of hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unclear. METHODS: A survey was conducted in 2023 by the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) to assess management of CKD patients referred to ESH-Hypertension Excellence Centres (ESH-ECs) at first referral visit. The questionnaire contained 64 questions with which ESH-ECs representatives were asked to estimate preexisting CKD management quality. RESULTS: Overall, 88 ESH-ECs from 27 countries participated (fully completed surveys: 66/88 [75.0%]). ESH-ECs reported that 28% (median, interquartile range: 15-50%) had preexisting CKD, with 10% of them (5-30%) previously referred to a nephrologist, while 30% (15-40%) had resistant hypertension. The reported rate of previous recent (<6 months) estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) testing were 80% (50-95%) and 30% (15-50%), respectively. The reported use of renin-angiotensin system blockers was 80% (70-90%). When a nephrologist was part of the ESH-EC teams the reported rates SGLT2 inhibitors (27.5% [20-40%] vs. 15% [10-25], P = 0.003), GLP1-RA (10% [10-20%] vs. 5% [5-10%], P = 0.003) and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (20% [10-30%] vs. 15% [10-20%], P = 0.05) use were greater as compared to ESH-ECs without nephrologist participation. The rate of reported resistant hypertension, recent eGFR and UACR results and management of CKD patients prior to referral varied widely across countries. CONCLUSIONS: Our estimation indicates deficits regarding CKD screening, use of nephroprotective drugs and referral to nephrologists before referral to ESH-ECs but results varied widely across countries. This information can be used to build specific programs to improve care in hypertensives with CKD.

Anti-ischemic and pleiotropic effects of ranolazine in chronic coronary syndromes.

The vast majority of antianginal drugs decrease heart rate and or blood pressure levels or the inotropic status of the left ventricle to decrease myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) and thus anginal symptoms. Ranolazine presents a completely different mechanism of action, which reduces the sodium-dependent calcium overload inhibiting the late sodium current. Current European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for the management of angina in patients with chronic coronary symptoms recommend the use of several drugs such as ranolazine, b-blockers, calcium channel blockers, long-acting nitrates, ivabradine, nicorandil and trimetazidine for angina relief. However, ranolazine, in addition to symptom relief properties, is an antianginal drug showing favorable effects in decreasing the arrhythmic burden and in ameliorating the glycemic profile of these patients. In this review, we summarize the available data regarding the antianginal and pleiotropic effects of this drug.

2023 ESH Guidelines for the management of arterial hypertension The Task Force for the management of arterial hypertension of the European Society of Hypertension: Endorsed by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and the European Renal Association (ERA).

DOCUMENT REVIEWERS: Luis Alcocer (Mexico), Christina Antza (Greece), Mustafa Arici (Turkey), Eduardo Barbosa (Brazil), Adel Berbari (Lebanon), Luís Bronze (Portugal), John Chalmers (Australia), Tine De Backer (Belgium), Alejandro de la Sierra (Spain), Kyriakos Dimitriadis (Greece), Dorota Drozdz (Poland), Béatrice Duly-Bouhanick (France), Brent M. Egan (USA), Serap Erdine (Turkey), Claudio Ferri (Italy), Slavomira Filipova (Slovak Republic), Anthony Heagerty (UK), Michael Hecht Olsen (Denmark), Dagmara Hering (Poland), Sang Hyun Ihm (South Korea), Uday Jadhav (India), Manolis Kallistratos (Greece), Kazuomi Kario (Japan), Vasilios Kotsis (Greece), Adi Leiba (Israel), Patricio López-Jaramillo (Colombia), Hans-Peter Marti (Norway), Terry McCormack (UK), Paolo Mulatero (Italy), Dike B. Ojji (Nigeria), Sungha Park (South Korea), Priit Pauklin (Estonia), Sabine Perl (Austria), Arman Postadzhian (Bulgaria), Aleksander Prejbisz (Poland), Venkata Ram (India), Ramiro Sanchez (Argentina), Markus Schlaich (Australia), Alta Schutte (Australia), Cristina Sierra (Spain), Sekib Sokolovic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Jonas Spaak (Sweden), Dimitrios Terentes-Printzios (Greece), Bruno Trimarco (Italy), Thomas Unger (The Netherlands), Bert-Jan van den Born (The Netherlands), Anna Vachulova (Slovak Republic), Agostino Virdis (Italy), Jiguang Wang (China), Ulrich Wenzel (Germany), Paul Whelton (USA), Jiri Widimsky (Czech Republic), Jacek Wolf (Poland), Grégoire Wuerzner (Switzerland), Eugene Yang (USA), Yuqing Zhang (China).

Long-term risk, clinical management, and healthcare resource utilization of stable patients with coronary artery disease and post-myocardial infarction in Greece - TIGREECE study.

BACKGROUND: In light of the scarcity of evidence, TIGREECE evaluated the clinical management and long-term outcomes of patients at high risk for an atherothrombotic event who have suffered a myocardial infarction (MI), managed by cardiologists/internists in routine hospital and private office settings in Greece. METHODS: TIGREECE, a multicenter, 3-year prospective cohort study, enrolled patients ≥50 years old, with a history of MI 1-3 years before enrollment and with at least one of the following risk factors: age ≥65 years, diabetes mellitus requiring medication, second prior MI, multivessel coronary artery disease, and creatinine clearance 15-60 mL/min. The primary outcome was a composite of MI, unstable angina with urgent revascularization, stroke, or all-cause death. RESULTS: Between 5 June 2014 and 25 July 2015, 305 eligible consented patients (median age: 67.3 years; 81.3% males; 14.8% active smokers; 80.7% overweight/obese) were enrolled; 52.5% had ≥2 qualifying risk factors. The median time from the index MI [ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 51.1%, non-STEMI in 33.1%] to enrollment was 1.7 years. Of the patients, 65.9% had been discharged on dual antiplatelet therapy. At enrollment, 94.4% were receiving antiplatelets: 60.0% single [acetylsalicylic acid (ASA): 43.3%; clopidogrel: 15.7%] and 34.4% dual (ASA + clopidogrel: 31.8%) therapy. The Kaplan-Meier estimated 3-year primary composite event rate was 9.3% [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.4-13.0), and the ischemic composite event rate was 6.7% (95% CI: 4.2-9.9). CONCLUSIONS: Study results indicate that in the routine care of Greece one in ten patients experience a recurring cardiovascular event or death, mainly of ischemic origin, 1-3 years post-MI.

Effects of ranolazine on various outcomes in patients with stable angina: an updated meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: We determined the effect of ranolazine vs. placebo in angina patients on 1) selective measures of the ischemic burden, 2) cardiovascular outcomes, including atrial fibrillation incidence, 3) the in-treatment glycohemoglobin levels and the permanent discontinuations because of side effects, and 4) the achieved between-arms blood pressure and heart rate difference. METHODS: PubMed and Cochrane Collaboration Library databases were searched for eligible trials until end of September 2020. Trial quality was assessed by the Rob2 tool. Risk ratios or achieved mean differences during follow-up and 95% confidence interval (CI) of categorical or continuous outcomes, respectively, were calculated (random-effects model). The relationship between discontinuation rates and ranolazine's mean dose was investigated by meta-regression analysis. RESULTS: We selected 18 trials (n = 12,995 patients in patients with macro or microvascular coronary heart disease. Achieved blood pressure and heart rate at rest were not different between randomized arms. Ranolazine administration compared to placebo was associated with an increase of 1) total exercise duration by 30 seconds (95% CI, 18-42), 2) time to 1 mm ST-segment depression by 44 seconds (95% CI, 30-54), and 3) time to angina onset by 40 seconds (95% CI, 30-54). On average, the incidence of atrial fibrillation was reduced by 25% following ranolazine treatment compared to placebo, while glycohemoglobin showed a mean decrease of 0.4% (95% CI, 0.3-0.5%). DISCUSSION: Ranolazine remains an effective anti-ischemic drug, increases the angina-free exercise duration, delays the onset of ST-segment depression. The beneficial effects of ranolazine are extended to atrial fibrillation reduction rates and better glycemic control.

Hypertension and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: position paper by the European Society of Hypertension.

Hypertension constitutes a major risk factor for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). HFpEF is a prevalent clinical syndrome with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Specific guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) for HFpEF is not established due to lack of positive outcome data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and limitations of available studies. Although available evidence is limited, control of blood pressure (BP) is widely regarded as central to the prevention and clinical care in HFpEF. Thus, in current guidelines including the 2018 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Society of Hypertension (ESH) Guidelines, blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) with either angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers provides the backbone of BP-lowering therapy in hypertensive patients. Although superiority of RAS blockers has not been clearly shown in dedicated RCTs designed for HFpEF, we propose that this core drug treatment strategy is also applicable for hypertensive patients with HFpEF with the addition of some modifications. The latter apply to the use of spironolactone apart from the treatment of resistant hypertension and the use of the angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor. In addition, novel agents such as sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors, currently already indicated for high-risk patients with diabetes to reduce heart failure hospitalizations, and finerenone represent promising therapies and results from ongoing RCTs are eagerly awaited. The development of an effective and practical classification of HFpEF phenotypes and GDMT through dedicated high-quality RCTs are major unmet needs in hypertension research and calls for action.

Opportunistic screening for hypertension in the general population in Greece: International Society of Hypertension May Measurement Month 2019.

Hypertension remains a major public health issue with inadequate control worldwide. The May Measurement Month (MMM) initiative by the International Society of Hypertension was implemented in Greece in 2019 aiming to raise hypertension awareness and control. Adult volunteers (≥18 years) were recruited through opportunistic screening in five urban areas. Information on medical history and triplicate sitting blood pressure (BP) measurements were obtained using validated automated upper-arm devices. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic ≥90 mmHg, and/or self-reported use of drugs for hypertension. A total of 5727 were analysed [mean age 52.7 (SD 16.6) years, men 46.5%, 88.3% had BP measurement in the last 18 months]. The prevalence of hypertension was (41.6%) and was higher in men and in older individuals. Among individuals with hypertension, 78.7% were diagnosed, 73.1% treated, and 48.3% controlled. Awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension were higher in women and in older individuals. Hypertensives had a higher body mass index (BMI) and were more likely to have diabetes, myocardial infarction and stroke, and less likely to smoke than normotensives (all P < 0.001). Among treated hypertensives, 65.1% were on monotherapy, and with increasing number of antihypertensive drugs the BP levels were higher and hypertension control rates lower. The prevalence of hypertension in Greece is high, with considerable potential for improving awareness, treatment, and control. Screening programmes, such as MMM, need to be widely implemented at the population level, together with training programmes for healthcare professionals aiming to optimise management and control.

Verapamil-sensitive idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia and concomitant atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

We describe the case of a young patient with runs of repetitive monomorphic left ventricular tachycardia. He was diagnosed with verapamil-sensitive, idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (ILVT) and underwent an electrophysiological study, in which dual atrioventricular (AV) nodal physiology was evident, with an AV nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) being easily and reproducibly induced. Both the AVNRT and the ILVT were successfully ablated using high-density electroanatomical mapping and an open-irrigation catheter. In conclusion, verapamil-sensitive ILVT might coexist with AVNRT. In case of invasive therapy, a thorough electrophysiological evaluation is mandatory to exclude or treat other co-existing reentrant supraventricular arrhythmias.

Joint ESH excellence centers' national meeting on renal sympathetic denervation: A Greek experts' survey.

OBJECTIVE: The efficacy of renal sympathetic denervation (RDN) has been affirmed by a number of recent clinical studies, despite controversies in this field over the last five years. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that hypertension experts debate the merits of RDN by revealing and expressing their personal beliefs and perspectives regarding this procedure. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Greek leaders of the Hypertension Excellence Centers with the use of a closed-type questionnaire specifically designed to elicit information and evaluate the respondent's views and perspectives about RDN efficacy, safety and ideal target patient population. RESULTS: A total of 36 participants completed the survey. Based on the results, RDN was considered efficient (91.7%) and safe (94.5%), while the overwhelming majority of the participants felt confident in the long-term efficacy (88.9%) of the intervention and that it lacks reliable predictors of blood pressure response (94.5%). Patients with resistant (91.7%), ultra-resistant (94.4%), and uncontrolled hypertension (80.6%) were suggested as ideal candidates for RDN. Establishing a close co-operation between interventionalists and hypertension experts was considered essential to ensure the efficacy (97.2%) as well as the safety (97.3%) of the procedure. CONCLUSION: The vast majority of Greek hypertension experts surveyed were convinced of the efficacy and safety of RDN based on the preponderance of available scientific and clinical data. Identification of the ideal patient group remains controversial. Respondents generally agreed on the necessity of building close collaborative relationships between interventionalists and hypertension experts in order to improve RDN clinical outcome.

Torasemide in Hypertension and Heart Failure: Re-inventing Loop Diuretic Therapy?

In heart failure (HF) patients, current European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recommend the use of three loop diuretics (furosemide, torasemide, bumetanide) in order to not only reduce HF hospitalizations but also improve symptoms and exercise capacity in patients with signs and/or symptoms of congestion. In addition, for the first time in hypertensive patients, European Society of Hypertension (ESH) guidelines recommend the use of torasemide. This review aimed to summarize the mode of action of loop diuretics, to present their pharmacokinetic characteristics, and to discuss their place in the management of arterial hypertension and heart failure, with special emphasis however on torasemide.

Efficacy and safety of nebivolol in Korean patients with hypertension by age and sex: a subanalysis from the BENEFIT-KOREA study.

BACKGROUND: BENEFIT-KOREA (BEnefits after 24 weeks of NEbivolol administration For essential hypertensIon patients wiTh various comorbidities and treatment environments in Korea) study, an observational study in South Korea, demonstrated the efficacy and safety of nebivolol in Asian patients with essential hypertension with and without comorbidities in real-world settings. We present a subanalysis of the efficacy and safety of nebivolol across age and sex in the BENEFIT-KOREA cohort. METHODS: Adult South Korean patients with essential hypertension participated in the prospective, single-arm, open, observational BENEFIT-KOREA study; 3011 patients received nebivolol as monotherapy or add-on therapy. Changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and pulse rate at 12 and 24 weeks were evaluated. Participants were divided into three age groups-young males and females: < 50 years; middle-aged males and females: ≥50 years to < 70 years; and older males and females: ≥70 years. RESULTS: The mean age of study participants was 63.5 ± 12.9 years; majority were between 50 and 69 years of age and 40.4% were females. A significant decrease was observed in mean SBP, DBP, and pulse rate from baseline at 12 and 24 weeks in males and females across all age groups analyzed (all P < 0.001 vs. baseline), with no significant difference in mean reduction in SBP and DBP from baseline between sex within the age groups. Majority of reported adverse events were mild. The incidence of adverse events was lower in young participants versus middle-aged and older participants. CONCLUSIONS: Our subanalysis from the real-world BENEFIT-KOREA study in Asian patients with essential hypertension demonstrated the efficacy and safety of once-daily nebivolol across age groups with no between-sex differences. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Name of the registry: clinicaltrials.gov. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03847350 . Date of registration: February 20, 2019 retrospectively registered.

Combined aerobic/resistance/inspiratory muscle training as the 'optimum' exercise programme for patients with chronic heart failure: ARISTOS-HF randomized clinical trial.

AIMS: An 'optimum' universally agreed exercise programme for heart failure (HF) patients has not been found. ARISTOS-HF randomized clinical trial evaluates whether combined aerobic training (AT)/resistance training (RT)/inspiratory muscle training (IMT) (ARIS) is superior to AT/RT, AT/IMT or AT in improving aerobic capacity, left ventricular dimensions, and secondary functional outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients of New York Heart Association II-III, left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35% were randomized to an ARIS, AT/RT, AT/IMT, or AT group, exercising 3 times/week, 180 min/week for 12 weeks. Pre- and post-training, peakVO2 was evaluated with cardiopulmonary exercise testing, left ventricular dimensions using echocardiography, walking distance with the 6-min walk test (6MWT), quality of life by the Minnesota Living with HF Questionnaire (MLwHFQ), while a programme preference survey (PPS) was used. Seventy-four patients of [mean 95% (confidence interval, CI)] age 66.1 (64.3-67.9) years and peakVO2 17.3 (16.4-18.2) mL/kg/min were finally analysed. Between-group analysis showed a trend for increased peakVO2 (mL/kg/min) [mean contrasts (95% CI)] in the ARIS group [ARIS vs. AT/RT 1.71 (0.163-3.25)(.), vs. AT/IMT 1.50 (0.0152-2.99)(.), vs. AT 1.38 (-0.142 to 2.9)(.)], additional benefits in circulatory power (mL/kg/min⋅mmHg) [ARIS vs. AT/RT 376 (60.7-690)*, vs. AT/IMT 423 (121-725)*, vs. AT 345 (35.4-656)*], left ventricular end-systolic diameter (mm) [ARIS vs. AT/RT -2.11 (-3.65 to (-0.561))*, vs. AT -2.47 (-4.01 to (-0.929))**], 6MWT (m) [ARIS vs. AT/IMT 45.6 (18.3-72.9)**, vs. AT 55.2 (27.6-82.7)****], MLwHFQ [ARIS vs. AT/RT -7.79 (-11 to (-4.62))****, vs. AT -8.96 (-12.1 to (-5.84))****], and in PPS score [mean (95% CI)] [ARIS, 4.8 (4.7-5) vs. AT, 4.4 (4.2-4.7)*] [(.) P ≤ 0.1; *P ≤ 0.05; **P ≤ 0.01; ***P ≤ 0.001; ****P ≤ 0.0001]. CONCLUSION: ARISTOS-HF trial recommends exercise training for 180 min/week and supports the prescription of the ARIS training regime for HF patients (Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. ARISTOS-HF Clinical Trial number, NCT03013270).

Risk markers of incident atrial fibrillation in patients with coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND: In patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We investigated the associations between clinical risk factors and biomarkers with incident AF in patients with CHD. METHODS AND RESULTS: Around 13,153 patients with optimally treated CHD included in the STabilization of Atherosclerotic plaque By Initiation of darapLadIb TherapY (STABILITY) trial with plasma samples obtained at randomization. Mean follow-up time was 3.5 years. The association between clinical risk factors and biomarkers with incident AF was estimated with Cox-regression models. Validation was performed in 1,894 patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome included in the FRISC-II trial. The median (min-max) age was 64 years (range 26-92) and 2,514 (19.1%) were women. A total of 541 patients, annual incidence rate of 1.2%, developed AF during follow-up. In multivariable models, older age, higher levels of NT-proBNP, higher body mass index (BMI), male sex, geographic regions, low physical activity, and heart failure were independently associated with increased risk of incident AF with hazard ratios ranging from 1.04 to 1.79 (P ≤ .05). NT-proBNP improved the C-index from 0.70 to 0.71. In the validation cohort, age, BMI, and NT-proBNP were associated with increased risk of incident AF with similar hazard ratios. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with optimally treated CHD, the incidence of new AF was 1.2% per year. Age, NT-proBNP as a marker of impaired cardiac function, and BMI were the strongest factors, independently and consistently associated with incident AF. Male sex and low physical activity may also contribute to the risk of AF in patients with CHD.