On September 16, 2009, the AF Stat^TM coalition launched two major reports, the AF Stat Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation and the Avalere Health report Medicare and Atrial Fibrillation: Consequences in Costs and Care. The videos from that webcast are now available for viewing online.

Learn more about AF Stat and access the webcast:
AF Stat^TM Webcast Video Presents Priorities to Improve Atrial Fibrillation Patient Care

Tags: AF Stat, Advocacy, Audio/Video, Events, General, Resources, Study by Mellanie
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The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has introduced a video to help those on anticoagulant drugs, such as Coumadin or warfarin, to use them safely. The video is designed to complement what patients learn from their doctors, pharmacies, or Coumadin clinics.

Anticoagulants reduce the risk of stroke in those with atrial fibrillation by avoiding the formation of blood clots, but they can also be difficult to use and are a major source of hospitalizations and emergency room visits. The video, Staying Active and Healthy with Blood Thinners, aims to make them easier to manage by introducing four steps for patients to follow. The video, which is available in both English and Spanish, is also accompanied by a booklet.

Find out more:  Video Helps Those with Atrial Fibrillation to Safely Manage Anticoagulant Medications Coumadin and Warfarin

Tags: Anticoagulation, Audio/Video, Medication by Mellanie
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In Part 2 of StopAfib.org’s video interview with Dr. Michael Argenziano, of NY-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, he discusses a trial that they are participating in that involves implanting a heart rhythm monitor after an atrial fibrillation procedure to see what a patient’s rhythm looks like five, ten, and even twenty years later.

Video Interview with Dr. Michael Argenziano About Atrial Fibrillation Surgery

By the way, Dr. Argenziano is a colleague of Dr. Oz (Oprah and YOU books).

Tags: Audio/Video, Surgery, Treatment by Mellanie
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In Part 1 of StopAfib.org’s video interview with Dr. Michael Argenziano, he discusses the atrial fibrillation surgery done at NY-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center.

He covers the kind of surgery that he prefers for those with recent-onset paroxysmal atrial fibrillation as well as for those with one or more failed catheter ablations, for whom he favors a bi-atrial modified maze with lesions in the left and right atria.

He also talks about considerations for those with poor ventricular function or an enlarged left atrium, as well as a ganglionectomy for those whose atrial fibrillation arises in the abnormal nerve connections on the surface of the heart.

An interesting bit of trivia about Dr. Argenziano is that you may recognize the names of some of his heart surgeon colleagues, including Dr. Mehmet Oz, of Oprah fame and the YOU book series, and Dr. Craig Smith, who is well-known for doing Bill Clinton’s open-heart surgery. This team of heart surgeons was profiled in the fascinating book, The Surgeons.

Video Interview with Dr. Michael Argenziano About Atrial Fibrillation Surgery

Tags: Audio/Video, Catheter ablation, Surgery, Treatment by Mellanie
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StopAfib.org recently spoke with Dr. Anne Cahill, a cardiothoracic surgeon, about arrhythmias and supplements, including Omega-3 fatty acids. Watch the interview at:

Video Interview with Dr. Anne Cahill

Tags: Audio/Video, Prevention by Mellanie
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In this interview from Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium 2009, Dr. Ralph Damiano, cardiothoracic surgeon, talks about developing customized atrial fibrillation treatment procedures for individual afib patients, both by surgical maze procedure and catheter ablation.

Learn more and see the video:  Dr. Damiano on Customized Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

Tags: Audio/Video, Cure, Surgery, Treatment by Mellanie
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A newly-posted video from an evening presentation by Dr. James Edgerton at Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium 2009 provides a rare glimpse into the evolution of atrial fibrillation surgery, including the mini maze procedure, and gives a peek at its future as well. See video from actual afib surgeries.

Learn more and see the video:  Dr. James Edgerton on Atrial Fibrillation Maze Procedure Evolution

Tags: Audio/Video, Cure, Surgery, Treatment by Mellanie
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If you’re on Coumadin or warfarin for your atrial fibrillation, you’re probably interested in the coming replacements for it. In part 2 of our Coumadin series, Dr. Manish Shah, Electrophysiologist at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC, talks about the clotting cascade and two drugs that are potential replacements for Coumadin.

See the video at: Dr. Shah on Coumadin Replacements in Trial - Dabigatran and Rivaroxaban

Tags: Anticoagulation, Audio/Video, Treatment by Mellanie
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The controversy among those with atrial fibrillation continues on whether or not you should be on Coumadin or warfarin. How do you know your risk of stroke and whether or not you should be taking Coumadin? Learn about your CHADS2 score from an electrophysiologist in this video…

See the video at: Do You Need Coumadin: Your CHADS2 Score

Tags: Audio/Video, Prevention by Mellanie
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Atrial fibrillation is different for women. It just is.

If you’re a woman living with afib, you know. You may want to read The Patient’s Perspective: Women Living with Atrial Fibrillation, a free magazine from the Embrace Your Heart(TM) Wellness Initiative done in partnership with StopAfib.org.

The purpose of this magazine is to raise awareness of atrial fibrillation in women and to help improve the quality of life for women with afib. Here are some of the stories you may want to check out:

* Are You Just a Hysterical Female? The emotional toll of atrial fibrillation.
* To Broccoli or Not To Broccoli…Managing Your INR
* Stressed or Stroke?
* Go Buy A New Bra! …and other things a woman should do before heart surgery

You can download the magazine, or listen to the replay of the teleseminar .

Tags: Audio/Video, Treatment, Women by Mellanie
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