We hear from so many afib patients every day about the trials, tribulations, and fears regarding being on amiodarone, or their refusal to take it. Since the FDA approved Multaq® (dronedarone) recently, the most frequent question I’ve fielded has been “When will Multaq® be available?” That happened this week, and the excitement they have shared with us has been palpable.

So, on behalf of the atrial fibrillation patient community, StopAfib.org felt it was appropriate to thank and applaud the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for providing a safer option for those with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Dronedarone is the first new anti-arrhythmic drug approved in years for afib. There are now more options for fighting that afib beast. Read more:

StopAfib.org Applauds the FDA for Providing a Safer Option for Those with Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter

Tags: Medication, Treatment by Mellanie
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StopAfib.org and the Atrial Fibrillation Blog are proud to announce our involvement in, and support of, a bill just introduced into the U.S. Senate, S. Res. 220, which would officially designate September as National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month. This is the companion bill to H. Res. 255 introduced earlier this year into the U.S. House of Representatives.

ACTION REQUESTED: Ask Your U.S. Senators to Support Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month

Now we need your help. Please check out the article above to find out more about the resolution and what you can do to help make it a reality.

Tags: Advocacy by Mellanie
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Medtronic has completed 12 months of follow up in their U.S.-based STOP-AF clinical trial (Sustained Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation) for treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. This trial evaluated their cryoballoon catheter, the Arctic Front® CryoAblation Catheter System, which is already approved for use in Europe, Australia and Hong Kong.

Learn more: Medtronic Clinical Trial Evaluating the Industry’s First Cryoballoon Technology Designed for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Completes Follow Up

Tags: Catheter ablation, Study, Treatment by Mellanie
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We continue to learn more about the family connection in atrial fibrillation. A second gene was just found that increases the risk of afib and stroke.

At least one third of those of European descent carry one copy of the newly-discovered variant in the ZFHX3 gene and have a 20% increase in risk of afib and cardioembolic strokes, those that originate from clots from the heart.

These findings will be integrated into DNA testing for atrial fibrillation and stroke risk from deCODE Genetics.

Learn more: Second Gene Identified That Increases Risk of Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke

Tags: Causes or Triggers, Family, Prevention, Risk, Study by Mellanie
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In this video interview, Dr. David Wilber talks about atrial fibrillation catheter ablation clinical trials and afib treatment as reported on at the Heart Rhythm Society 2009 annual meeting.

Video Interview with Dr. David Wilber at Heart Rhythm 2009

Tags: Catheter ablation, Treatment by Mellanie
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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 by Mellanie
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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

Tags: Medication, Treatment by Mellanie
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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 by Mellanie
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