StopAfib.org Blog

Atrial Fibrillation & Anticoagulants–StopAfib.org interviews Dr. Elaine Hylek

StopAfib.org interviews Dr. Elaine Hylek of Boston University. A transcript of this video, as well as additional information about the topics discussed, and Dr. Hylek, can be found at: http://www.stopafib.org/newsitem.cfm/NEWSID/349 In this video interview, Dr. Elaine Hylek of Boston University discusses new anticoagulant drugs for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. For many years, warfarin (Coumadin) …

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Catheter & Surgical Ablation Guideline Updates–StopAfib.org interviews Dr. Hugh Calkins

StopAfib.org interviews Dr. Hugh Calkins, electrophysiologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital. In this video, Dr. Calkins discussed the current effort to update and rewrite the HRS/EHRA/ECAS Expert Consensus Statement on Catheter and Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation, which was published in 2007. The goal is to present the new guidelines at the Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium …

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Atrial Fibrillation & Genetics–StopAfib.org interviews Dr. Patrick Ellinor

StopAfib.org interviews Dr. Patrick Ellinor, electrophysiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. In this video interview, Dr. Ellinor talked about his research as part of a consortium that investigates the correlation between genetics and atrial fibrillation. He discussed how in the past five to seven years, they have learned that a family history of afib can be …

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Atrial Fibrillation & Catheter Ablation Outcomes–StopAfib.org interviews Dr. Matthew Reynolds

StopAfib.org interviews Dr. Matthew Reynolds, of the Harvard Clinical Research Institute. In this video interview, Dr. Reynolds talked about his research looking at outcomes and quality of life following catheter ablation. His research analyzed quality of life data that was collected as part of a previously-reported catheter trial, in which catheter ablation was found to …

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Atrial Fibrillation & Treatment–StopAfib.org interviews Dr. Kenneth Ellenbogen

StopAfib.org interviews Dr. Kenneth Ellenbogen of Virginia Commonwealth University. In this video, Dr. Ellenbogen talked about some of the exciting things for afib patients being presented at the 2010 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. He discussed the presentation of the ROCKET AF clinical trial, which could provide a second new alternative to warfarin for afib …

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Atrial Fibrillation & Maze Procedures–StopAfib.org interviews Dr. John Sirak

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 …

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Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Options–Dr. James Edgerton consults on Afib treatment with patient

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 …

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Join WomenHeart and Million Hearts in a Special Presentation January 18 in Washington, DC

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 …

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StopAfib.org - For Patients. By Patients - Stop Atrial Fibrillation

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 …

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StopAfib.org - For Patients. By Patients - Stop Atrial Fibrillation

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 …

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