Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common heart arrhythmia globally, leads to severe complications like AF-related stroke (AFRS), a debilitating condition with high mortality, long hospital stays, and poor recovery outcomes. AFRS is characterised by large clots, extensive brain infarctions, and haemorrhagic transformation, worsening prognosis and contributing to disability, dementia, and resource-intensive care. Addressing this pressing issue, the European Union has funded the groundbreaking TARGET project under the Horizon Europe research programme (grant agreement no. 101136244).

The TARGET project1, launched in January 2024, unites 19 leading institutions across 10 countries. TARGET leverages cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) modelling and health virtual twins to transform AFRS management. Virtual twins are digital representations of individual patients, integrating unique medical histories and risk profiles. Combined with AI, these tools enable personalised care by refining diagnoses, tailoring treatments, and optimising resource use.

TARGET employs an integrated multiscale approach to AFRS, from disease onset and progression to treatment and recovery. By incorporating patient-specific computational models and in silico trials, the project aligns with global guidelines advocating for holistic, guideline-recommended care and dynamic risk reassessment. AI’s rapid evolution, driven by advancements in machine learning and open-access databases, positions TARGET to capitalise on this maturity to advance the personalisation of AFRS care.

The project’s timeline spans the development, validation, and real-world testing of AI-powered decision-support tools. Importantly, patients, clinicians, and stakeholders are actively involved in co-developing and evaluating these tools. TARGET marks a paradigm shift in AFRS care, pioneering risk prediction and management innovations to improve outcomes for patients worldwide. By integrating cutting-edge technology with clinical practice, TARGET promises a transformative leap forward in stroke prevention and care in the AF landscape.
The project has an online presence (https://target-horizon.eu/) and on major social media platforms.