USA Weekend HealthSmart edition features a story about Mellanie True Hills, founder of StopAfib.org, in which she talks about living with atrial fibrillation and communicating electronically with her surgeon before and after her mini-maze surgery. Read: USA Weekend Talks About Atrial Fibrillation and Mini-Maze Surgery... What are your thoughts on the role that electronic communications should play in your communications …
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A study in the October 15 issue of JAMA indicates that reducing how often a patient receives amiodarone for atrial fibrillation does not decrease side effects, but does increase atrial fibrillation recurrence and the risk of death and hospitalizations. Read: Continuous use of amiodarone for atrial fibrillation better than episodic use
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The NY Times has a fascinating story about Elderspeak and how it can jeopardize your health. Read more, including what it means for those with atrial fibrillation, at Speak Up to Get the Atrial Fibrillation Treatment You Deserve Then please come back over here to the blog and post your comments below. I am confident …
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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. This study finds that, contrary to the current U.S. hypertension guidelines, thiazide diuretics need to be combined with "potassium-sparing" drugs to reduce sudden cardiac death risk. Read …
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A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology evaluated 137 patients who had undergone closure or removal of the left atrial appendage (LAA) during maze or mini maze surgery and found a high failure rate and that surgical LAA closure may not always protect against blood clots or strokes. Read more …
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Lately there have been questions, comments, and requests for atrial fibrillation information that already exists in the StopAfib.org news story archives. So with September being Atrial Fibrillation Month, it seems appropriate to call attention to the important afib documents and stories in our News archives. You'll generally find there stories that are more than 3 months old. Go to StopAfib.org Archived …
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At StopAfib.org, we asked Dr. Lishan Aklog, Chief of Cardiovascular Surgery at The Heart and Lung Institute of St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, to address an atrial fibrillation patient question regarding the use of amiodarone for mini maze surgery. You will find his answer here: FAQ: Dr. Lishan Aklog Addresses Patient Question on Whether to Use Amiodarone …
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I talk a lot in speeches, programs, and articles about the financial toll that atrial fibrillation takes on us and our families. A new study from The Commonwealth Fund reinforces the burden of rising medical costs in the U.S. on individuals and families. Those of us that have suffered with atrial fibrillation will not find this …
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If you are considering a procedure of any kind, especially an atrial fibrillation procedure, you'll want to read this about the importance of time outs in the operating room... Speak Up for Your Safety Before Your Procedure
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For those atrial fibrillation patients who are on amiodarone, or for those avoiding it, there is good news. Multaq® (dronedarone), a replacement for amiodarone, received priority review status from the US FDA. While amiodarone is among the most effective atrial fibrillation medications, it has major toxicity issues that dronedarone doesn't display. Read more...
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