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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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An FDA advisory panel voted that the overall benefits outweighed the risks in afib ablations using the AtriCure Synergy bipolar radiofrequency clamp. This was based on the results of the ABLATE clinical trial for ablation of persistent or longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation during other heart surgery. The panel recommended that the FDA approve it, setting …
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In celebration of Stroke Awareness Month (May), atrial fibrillation patient advocacy organization StopAfib.org is pleased to announce the addition of four afib experts to our Global Medical Advisory Board. The board is now made up of 23 of the world's foremost electrophysiologists, surgeons, cardiologists, neurologists, epidemiologists, and researchers, all of whom are on the forefront …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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