In this video, Dr. John Sirak, of the Ohio State University Medical Center (Columbus, OH), talks about the 5-box total thoracoscopic maze procedure, a minimally-invasive surgical procedure for afib that is achieving good results, even among those with persistent or longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation. This video is a companion to our previous article, New Mini …
Read More
In this video, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. James Edgerton of The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano (Plano, TX) consults with an afib patient and caregiver about various atrial fibrillation treatment options, including medications, cardioversions, catheter ablation, and surgical procedures. Dr. Edgerton is a board-certified cardothoracic surgeon at the Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, an Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor …
Read More
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 8:30 a.m. breakfast 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. program National Press Club 529 14th Street NW Washington, DC Plan to join WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease for a special presentation about the Million Hearts campaign. Million Hearts – a joint initiative of the Centers for Disease Control and …
Read More
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 …
Read More
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 …
Read More
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 …
Read More
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 …
Read More
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 …
Read More
Featured at Grand Rounds: Health Tips at USATODAY.com The holidays seem to bring on lots of atrial fibrillation, often attributed to a condition called "Holiday Heart Syndrome", which is supposedly caused by consuming too much alcohol and caffeine during the holidays. This year, can we avoid afib caused by Holiday Heart Syndrome? I think so, …
Read More
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
Read More