It’s Thanksgiving week here in the U.S., which is a time to reflect and give thanks. No matter what has happened in our lives, we have much for which to be thankful.

I have much for which I am thankful as well, including getting a second chance and a third chance at life. Both caused me to take up new missions — first, helping women know that heart disease is the #1 killer of women as well as men, and second, via StopAfib.org, helping those with atrial fibrillation in hopes of wiping out afib-related strokes.

As part of my journey spreading the word, I recently had the opportunity to walk in Oprah’s footsteps and as a result made new commitments to these two missions. Thanksgiving seemed an appropriate time to share that via an open note to Oprah in thanks for her inspiration.

Read: Thank you, Oprah: An Open Thank You Note from Mellanie True Hills of StopAfib.org

We at StopAfib.org wish you time for reflecting on that for which you give thanks.

Tags: Advocacy, General, Mellanie True Hills, Prevention by Mellanie
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We recently reported that an ablation catheter clinical trial would potentially usher in FDA approval of the first device for treating atrial fibrillation. That approval was just granted today when the NAVISTAR® THERMOCOOL® Catheter from Biosense Webster (Johnson & Johnson) was approved by the FDA for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. Finally, a step in the right direction.

Read:  FDA Approves First Catheter for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation

Tags: Catheter ablation, Treatment by Mellanie
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The latest issue of Success magazine talks about Mellanie True Hills, founder of StopAfib.org, and her story of living with atrial fibrillation and having surgery to cure atrial fibrillation as well as launching StopAfib.org to save lives.

Read: Success magazine shares the story of StopAfib.org founder Mellanie True Hills and her atrial fibrillation surgery

Tags: Cure, Mellanie True Hills, Patient Stories, Surgery, Treatment by Mellanie
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A study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs found that home anticoagulation monitoring of patients on warfarin (Coumadin) was as effective as testing at the hospital clinic.

Thus, for those that can’t easily get to the hospital clinic, home INR (International Normalized Ratio) monitoring can be an effective and safe alternative. And Medicare now covers home testing, as do many insurance companies.

Read more: Home Anticoagulation Monitoring Is An Effective Alternative to Coumadin Clinics

Tags: Anticoagulation, Treatment by Mellanie
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One of the many studies reported on this week at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in New Orleans was about an ablation catheter clinical trial (from Biosense Webster) that may finally usher in the first FDA approval of a device for treating atrial fibrillation. Read why this could be good news for anyone with atrial fibrillation.

Read:  Potential for an Atrial Fibrillation Sea Change From Request for FDA Approval of Catheter for Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

Tags: Catheter ablation, Treatment by Mellanie
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UPDATED 11-18-08: This event is being postponed and rescheduled for after the holidays. 

For those near Chicago, Illinois (Schaumburg, to be exact), we hope that you can join us at an atrial fibrillation patient information seminar on November 22. It is sponsored by the Alexian Brothers Cardiovascular Institute.

Read: Free Seminar on Atrial Fibrillation, Schaumburg, IL 11/22/08

Tags: Catheter ablation, Events, Surgery, Treatment by Mellanie
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A team at the University of Utah School of Medicine is pioneering the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in catheter ablation for treatment of atrial fibrillation. The major complication rate using MRI has been 12 times better than the norm.

By the end of the year, they expect to perform the first catheter ablation with simultaneous MRI imaging.

Read:  Breakthrough: Use of MRI in Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

Tags: Catheter ablation, Treatment by Mellanie
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For those in Florida, we hope you can join us at an atrial fibrillation seminar in Orlando on November 15. It is sponsored by The AF Center at The Orlando Cardiovascular Institute. 

Read:  Free Seminar on Atrial Fibrillation, Orlando, FL 11/15/08

And if you’re near Chicago, please save the date for a November 22 atrial fibrillation seminar.

If you’re not close to one of these locations, please ask your local hospital to bring me in to do an atrial fibrillation program for your community.  

Tags: Catheter ablation, Events, Surgery, Treatment by Mellanie
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