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 [...]
Mini Maze Procedure May Be a Good Option for Atrial Fibrillation Patients Who Have Failed Catheter Ablation
Results from FAST, the first-ever randomized trial to compare the effectiveness of minimally invasive surgical ablation (also called the mini maze procedure) for atrial fibrillation and catheter ablation for afib, were presented at the recent American Heart Association meeting. The FAST study enrolled patients who had failed a previous catheter ablation procedure. The minimally invasive [...]
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 [...]
FDA Approves Bipolar Radiofrequency Surgical Ablation System for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the AtriCure Synergy Ablation System for the treatment of persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing another heart surgery. The Synergy bipolar radiofrequency clamp is the only surgical ablation device with FDA approval for afib treatment. Learn more: FDA Advisory Panel Recommends, and FDA Approves, Bipolar [...]
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 [...]
High Success Rates for Atrial Fibrillation Focal and Rotor Catheter Ablations — Video with Dr. Sanjiv Narayan
At the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2011, Dr. Sanjiv Narayan presented the high success rate of the FIRM trial of focal and rotor catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. Watch the video at: Atrial Fibrillation Focal and Rotor Catheter Ablations Show High Success Rates — Video Interview with Dr. Sanjiv Narayan About the FIRM Trial
Apixaban (Eliquis) prevents more atrial fibrillation strokes than warfarin — March FDA approval expected
A recent New England Journal of Medicine article reported on the results of the ARISTOTLE trial comparing the effectiveness of apixaban and warfarin for atrial fibrillation stroke prevention. Apixaban was shown to be superior to warfarin in preventing afib strokes. Learn more about the results of this trial at: Apixaban Superior to Warfarin for Atrial [...]
