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September 21, 2008 6:20 AM CT The designation of September as Atrial Fibrillation Month is currently included in the register of dates, Chase's Calendar of Events. A resolution has now been introduced into the U.S. Congress requesting that September be officially recognized as “National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month.”  On September 15, a resolution was introduced in the U.S. …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mellanie True Hills at 940-466-9898 or www.stopafib.org/contact.cfm Dallas, TX (August 2008) — Atrial fibrillation patient resource, StopAfib.org, proclaims September 2008 as Atrial Fibrillation Month to raise awareness of atrial fibrillation, a life-threatening irregular heartbeat. Commonly known as afib, atrial fibrillation is a misfiring of the electrical signals of the heart involving …

The latest experts answering questions in the Journal of Atrial Fibrillation's "Meet the Experts" section are Dr. Larry Chinitz and Dr. Ralph Damiano. Dr. Chinitz is the director for cardiac electrophysiology at NYU Langone Medical Center and Associate Professor of Medicine. He is an expert in AF ablation, medical management of AF, ICDs and Echocardiography. …

September 18, 2008 6:29 AM CT Since many who have atrial fibrillation also have high blood pressure, this interesting new study out of Vanderbilt University Medical Center may be of value to know about. The current U.S. guidelines for treating hypertension (high blood pressure) call for treatment with a thiazide diuretic. While thiazide diuretics reduce …

For those in Central Pennsylvania... You are invited to a free seminar on Atrial Fibrillation and surgical treatment for it. Date: September 29, 2008 Where: Calvin House, 2135 Old Route 220 N, Duncansville, PA 16635 Time: 6 pm – 9 pm Speakers: Dr. John Anastasi will explain the minimally invasive procedure and answer any questions. Dr. Anastasi has …

September 12, 2008 6:23 AM CT I write and talk a lot about air pollution and heart disease. We've known for a long time, from a wide array of studies, that air pollution can lead to heart disease and heart attacks. Air pollution has always caused my heart to race, but I thought I was …

For those in the Macon, Georgia area... You are invited to a free seminar and panel discussion of local Macon doctors on Atrial Fibrillation detection and treatment options Friday, September 26  7:00PM - 8:30PM The Albert Luce Jr. Heart Institute Lobby, Georgia Heart Center, The Medical Center of Central Georgia Guest Speakers: Mellanie True Hills, …

September 9, 2008 6:23 AM CT A study recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology evaluated 137 patients who had undergone surgical closure or removal of the left atrial appendage (LAA) and found a high failure rate and that surgical LAA closure may not protect against clots or strokes. In the …

Q: How significant a role does amiodarone play in influencing the outcome of a Mini Maze? My surgeon wants me to take amiodarone, but I can barely tolerate beta blockers and do not want to take amiodarone. Answered by Dr. Lishan Aklog: The long-term outcome of the mini-Maze depends on the precise and complete creation …