On 8 September 2026, the AFFIRMO project held its Final Conference, bringing together leading experts, researchers, clinicians, policymakers and patient representatives to reflect on the project’s results and discuss the future of integrated and personalised care for older people living with atrial fibrillation and multimorbidity. 

The conference opened with a welcome from Tomislav Sokol, MEP and member of the MEP Cardiovascular Health Group, followed by Tom Lüschner, representing the European Society of Cardiology. 

The scientific programme explored different aspects of complexity in cardiovascular care. AFFIRMO partners presented the results and key achievements of the work carried out over the five years of the project. Gregory Lip presented insights from mAFA, MIRACLE-AF, and AFFIRMO on holistic and integrated atrial fibrillation care, while Aldo Pietro Maggioni presented the results of the AFFIRMO interventional trial. 

The discussion continued with Davide Liborio Vetrano and Cheïma Amrouch, who addressed multimorbidity, polypharmacy and their clinical relevance in older people with atrial fibrillation. Marco Proietti then explored clinical complexity phenotypes in chronic long-term conditions. The second part of the conference broadened the perspective towards the economic and patient-centred dimensions of care. Martin O’Flaherty presented insights into modelling health costs in older multimorbid atrial fibrillation patients, while Guendalina Graffigna explored patient engagement and empowerment, with a particular focus on the psychological aspects of living with cardiovascular conditions and their impact on patients’ quality of life. 

Connecting European projects around AI and personalised care

One of the highlights of the conference was the panel discussion on the future of guidelines and patient care pathways, moderated by Søren Paaske Johnsen.

The panel brought together representatives from different European projects and initiatives, including Riccardo Proietti from DORIAN GRAY, Davide Mei from ARISTOTELES, and Sandra Ortega Martorell and Mattias Ohlsson from TARGET, alongside Alexandru Costescu and Martin Asteizan from the European Commission. Trudie Lobban then joined the discussion, contributing from the perspective of the Arrhythmia Alliance and as a patient advocate. 

It was particularly valuable to see how AI in medicine is being approached from different perspectives, while converging towards common goals: using AI in the most appropriate and effective way to help reduce healthcare costs, support better clinical decision-making, tailor care to each patient, and give greater attention to individual needs and preferences. 

The discussion highlighted that technological innovation should not be an end in itself. AI can contribute to a healthcare system that is more personalised, efficient and responsive to individual needs, while helping healthcare professionals manage increasing complexity and keeping patients at the centre of care. 

The conference concluded with closing remarks from Gregory Lip and Søren Paaske Johnsen, reflecting on AFFIRMO’s achievements and looking towards the future of integrated, personalised and patient-centred healthcare. 

As AFFIRMO comes to an end, its Final Conference marked not only the conclusion of the project, but also a step forward in the wider European conversation on how to make healthcare more integrated, personalised and sustainable.