In this video interview, Dr. Steven Hao talks about the atrial fibrillation ablation trial, using the THERMOCOOL® catheter, which was presented at the Heart Rhythm Society 2009 annual meeting. He also discussed upcoming catheter ablation studies for afib and improvements in technology to customize atrial fibrillation treatment to a patient’s individual anatomy.

Video Interview with Dr. Steven Hao at Heart Rhythm 2009 in Boston

Tags: Catheter ablation, Treatment // Add Comment »

BREAKING NEWS

Multaq(R), the much anticipated replacement for amiodarone, just received FDA approval.

Read the press release: FDA Approves Multaq® for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation or Atrial Flutter

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Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the US federal government has allocated $1.1 billion for research into the comparative effectiveness of different medical treatments. New reports just out prioritize atrial fibrillation treatment on this comparative effectiveness research agenda.

Comparative effectiveness research has the potential to improve atrial fibrillation patient treatment and save healthcare costs.

Two reports just released by the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research and the Institute of Medicine outline the comparative effectiveness research priorities.

To learn more, read: Comparative Effectiveness Research for Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Is Listed as High Priority

Tags: Catheter ablation, Surgery, Treatment // Add Comment »

A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds a potential warning sign for three heart rhythm issues—the risk of atrial fibrillation, the need for a pacemaker, and the risk of death.

When EKGs show a prolonged PR interval, that is traditionally considered relatively benign, but that may not be the case. Increases in the length of the PR interval may actually be a warning about the patient’s atrial fibrillation risk, need for a pacemaker, or even death.

Learn more: EKG Warns of Potential Atrial Fibrillation Risk

Tags: Prevention, Risk, Symptoms // 1 Comment »

A new study just published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that increasing severity of sleep apnea is associated with a progressively increasing risk of atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias.

The type of sleep apnea matters:

• Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of ventricular events
• Central sleep apnea is common in heart failure and is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation

It’s possible that treating sleep apnea could improve the arrhythmia, but there’s currently no proof of that. The study was done on men, but likely applies to women, too.

To learn more, read: Sleep Apnea Severity Increases the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Ventricular Arrhythmias

Tags: Causes or Triggers, Prevention, Risk, Symptoms // 1 Comment »

UPDATED 6-30-09: Study is now complete. 

An afib research study is looking for afib patients who are near San Francisco, Cincinnati, or New Jersey/New York and who have taken certain anti-arrhythmic medications (Flecainide, Rythmol, Propafenone, and similar). They are offering an honorarium for your time. Find out if you qualify at:

Atrial Fibrillation Research Study Seeks Afib Patients near San Francisco, Cincinnati, and New Jersey

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We recently mentioned that StopAfib.org is a proud member of AF Stat^TM: A Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation. It’s exciting to have 24 organizations, along with Dr. Eric Prystowsky, Senator Bill Frist, MD, and NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West, working together to raise afib awareness.

To learn more: About AF Stat and see the newly-posted profiles of afib patients Jerry West and Mellanie True Hills

In addition, you can help raise awareness of afib by contacting your Congressman or Congresswoman. You will find details here:

Ask Your U.S. Representative to Support Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month

Tags: Advocacy, Mellanie True Hills, Patient Stories // Add Comment »

StopAfib.org now has more atrial fibrillation information, updated references, and some sections have even been expanded. There are updates throughout, but especially check out the following areas:

• What is Afib - Updated throughout, especially What Causes Afib
• Can Afib be Cured - Updated and expanded catheter ablation and maze procedure sections and an updated mini maze procedure section
• Patient & Caregiver Resources - More afib patient resources and categories

We hope you enjoy the new StopAfib.org, the atrial fibrillation patient resource for you and your family. We’re for patients by patients.  

Tags: Catheter ablation, Surgery, Treatment // Add Comment »

Do you follow tweets on Twitter? If you’re an afibber and information-junkie like me, you may like this list of folks that I follow who tweet on atrial fibrillation or afib-related topics or breaking health and medical news.

See: Twitter: Atrial Fibrillation Tweets

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Eric Oddleifson, a member of the afib patient community, reported from a session at the Heart Rhythm 2009 AF Summit where Dr. James Edgerton presented findings and recommendations on post-procedure monitoring.

After ablation, some doctors rely on patient self-reporting, which can be inaccurate 50% of the time due to silent afib. Through various analyses, Dr. Edgerton reported that a 14-day Holter monitor at regular intervals for a minimum of a year was determined to be most efficacious for post-ablation monitoring.

This is extremely important for determining both the success of the procedure and making decisions regarding discontinuing medication.

If you’re considering a procedure, you’ll want to read Eric’s report.

Read: Be Proactive About Monitoring After Your Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: Report from Heart Rhythm 2009 AF Summit By Eric Oddleifson, Guest Reporter for StopAfib.org

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