February 5, 2012

Update on Atrial Fibrillation Stroke Prevention — Video interview with Dr. Daniel Singer of Harvard

In this interview, Dr. Daniel Singer updates us on the new anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation stroke prevention that he presented about at Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium. He provided an update on rivaroxaban (Xarelto), apixaban (Eliquis), dabigatran (Pradaxa), and edoxaban, and mentioned that all were better than warfarin (Coumadin) in preventing intracranial bleeding (bleeding in the [...]

New HRS/EHRA/ECAS Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Guidelines Presented by Dr. Hugh Calkins of Johns Hopkins — Video

At Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium 2012, Dr. Hugh Calkins, electrophysiologist at Johns Hopkins, presented the new 2012 HRS/EHRA/ECAS Expert Consensus Statement on Catheter and Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation, which will replace the original guidelines that were published in 2007. Instead of simply rewriting sections that have changed, the writing committee, which was made up [...]

Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium 2012 Recap and Notes – Guest Posts by Dr. John Mandrola

Dr. John Mandrola, a cardiac electrophysiologist in Louisville, Kentucky, who blogs at Dr. John M, live-blogged the 2012 Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium. He has given us permission to reprint his blog posts for the afib community. You will find them here: Recap of Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium 2012 – Guest Posts by Dr. John Mandrola [...]

Stuck in the Middle: Afib Patients on Rate Control, from EP Lab Digest January, 2012

Our January EP Lab Digest Patient Perspective column, Stuck in the Middle: Afib Patients on Rate Control, focuses on how rate control treatment (such as beta blockers) alone impacts the quality of life of those living with atrial fibrillation. The column also explores things doctors and patients may wish to consider in determining an appropriate [...]

Top Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) Articles of 2011

In follow up to our announcement yesterday of the Top Ten Atrial Fibrillation Videos of 2011, StopAfib.org now unveils the Top Ten Atrial Fibrillation Articles of 2011. Major topics of interest to the atrial fibrillation patient community this year were afib stroke prevention and the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scoring tools that determine the need for [...]

Top Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) Videos of 2011

StopAfib.org has announced the Top Ten Atrial Fibrillation Videos of 2011. Afib stroke prevention again topped the list, with stories about warfarin (Coumadin), alternatives such as dabigatran (Pradaxa) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto), and the CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scoring tools for determining whether anticoagulants are needed. Other popular topics included sleep apnea, catheter ablation, and maze procedures (surgical [...]

FDA Approves Alternative to Warfarin — Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) Approved for Atrial Fibrillation Stroke Prevention

Xarelto

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Xarelto (rivaroxaban) to reduce stroke risk in those with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (afib unrelated to heart valve problems). Xarelto is now the second oral alternative to warfarin (Coumadin) and offers an option for those unable to take warfarin or dabigatran. Xarelto is the first once-a-day alternative to [...]

CHA2DS2-VASc or CHADS2 For Atrial Fibrillation Stroke Prevention? Should Aspirin Be Used? Video with Prof. Greg Lip

In this important video interview at Venice Arrhythmias, Professor Gregory Lip discusses the importance of the CHA2DS2-VASc scoring tool for predicting atrial fibrillation stroke risk and why aspirin is not appropriate for preventing strokes. Watch the video at: Professor Gregory Lip Discusses CHA2DS2-VASc Tool for Predicting Stroke Risk in Atrial Fibrillation — Video

Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month 2011 Happenings

Raising afib awareness is intensely personal for StopAfib.org founder, Mellanie True Hills, and led her to create the first Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month in 2007. Working with other organizations, Hills helped urge the U.S. Senate to officially designate National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month in September 2009. This roundup recaps what happened during Afib Month 2011, [...]

Top Ten Surprising Things You Don’t Know about Afib

September is Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month. Lots of folks don’t know too much about the condition, which is an irregular heart beat that can lead to serious complications such as dementia, heart failure, stroke or even death. To help spread the word, StopAfib.org presents these 10 afib facts and figures that will probably surprise even [...]