May 18, 2012

Updating the Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Guidelines — Interview with Dr. Hugh Calkins, Johns Hopkins

In this video interview, Dr. Hugh Calkins, electrophysiologist at Johns Hopkins, talks about the effort underway to rewrite the HRS/EHRA/ECAS Expert Consensus Statement on Catheter and Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation. The new global guidelines are expected in January of 2012. Watch the video at: Johns Hopkins Electrophysiologist, Dr. Hugh Calkins, On Updating the Atrial [...]

Dr. Ken Ellenbogen Talks about Fish Oil for Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke Prevention Drugs — Video

In this video, Dr. Kenneth Ellenbogen talks about important information presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2010. First he talked about the ROCKET AF clinical trial of rivaroxaban, a new drug that is an alternative to warfarin (Coumadin), as well as another alternative, the recently-approved dabigatran. He provided scenarios as to how these drugs [...]

Surgeon Explains Why Hybrid Ablation “Makes Sense” for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

Hybrid ablation is an emerging treatment for patients with persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation. It is a dual approach, in which an electrophysiologist ablates from inside the heart and the cardiac surgeon ablates on the outside the heart. Dr. James Edgerton, a cardiac surgeon at The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano in Texas, who spoke [...]

2010 Most Popular Atrial Fibrillation News Stories and Videos

StopAfib.org has published the 2010 Most Popular Atrial Fibrillation News Stories and Videos List. Stroke prevention topped the list and included stories about warfarin (Coumadin) and alternatives such as dabigatran (Pradaxa) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto). Other popular topics included the new European atrial fibrillation guidelines, new antiarrhythmic medications, updates on catheter ablation and afib surgery, and [...]

Dr. James Edgerton Consults with an Afib Patient About Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Options – Video

In this video, Dr. Edgerton consults with an afib patient and caregiver about such atrial fibrillation treatment options as medication, cardioversion, catheter ablation, Cox maze surgery, and the minimally invasive (mini maze) surgical procedure. Watch the video at: Dr. James R. Edgerton Discusses Treatment Options with an Atrial Fibrillation Patient and Caregiver – Video

New Five Box Maze Procedure Is Promising Treatment for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation

A new mini maze procedure developed by Dr. John Sirak at Ohio State University is a promising new treatment for persistent atrial fibrillation as it closely replicates the “gold standard” Cox Maze III lesion set in the heart’s left atrium. This “five box” thoracoscopic maze procedure may be better able to treat persistent AF specifically [...]

Top Atrial Fibrillation Doctors Named to Inaugural StopAfib.org Medical Advisory Board

Today is a very special day for StopAfib.org founder Mellanie True Hills as she celebrates five years of being afib-free as a result of her minimally-invasive (mini maze) procedure. It is also National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month, so today is the perfect day to make a big announcement. StopAfib.org is very pleased to announce our [...]

Afib Convergent Procedure Webcast: Catheter Ablation plus Surgery

Here is an interesting webcast replay that you may want to check out if you’re interested in having a catheter ablation or surgery for atrial fibrillation. In this webcast, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Andy C. Kiser and electrophysiologist Dr. Mark Landers, both of Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, North Carolina, perform a Convergent Procedure. This procedure, [...]

Webcast of Total Thoracoscopic Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation

Today we’re featuring a replay of a webcast of a Total Thoracoscopic Maze (TTM), a minimally invasive (mini maze) procedure for atrial fibrillation. The webcast, from PinnacleHealth, features Dr. Mubashir A. Mumtaz, cardiothoracic surgeon, and Dr. David C. Man, electrophysiologist. Watch the replay: Replay of Total Thoracoscopic Maze Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

Decrease Atrial Fibrillation Stroke Risk When Ablation Isn’t An Option

Not all atrial fibrillation patients are candidates for an ablation, either catheter ablation or surgical ablation, such as the maze or mini maze procedures. Thus their stroke risk remains high. We recently wrote about the FDA’s approval of the AtriClip device, which is implanted during open heart surgery and reduces stroke risk by occluding (closing [...]