December 21, 2009 4:17 AM CT T'was the day of ablation, and deep in my chest Was a heart that was beating, it's rhythm a mess The catheters were hung in the OR with care In hope that the EP soon would be there I was placed on a gurney without a word being said I …
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December 16, 2009 7:13 AM CT On September 16, 2009, the AF Stat™ coalition launched two major reports, the AF Stat Call to Action for Atrial Fibrillation and the Avalere Health report Medicare and Atrial Fibrillation: Consequences in Costs and Care. The videos from that webcast are now available for viewing online. In the webcast, the …
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December 08, 2009 6:13 AM CT By Peggy Noonan New research published in the November 17, 2009 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology shows obesity and high blood pressure (hypertension) to be significant risk factors for left atrial enlargement (LAE), a condition in which the left upper chamber of the heart is …
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December 9, 2009 4:13 AM CT News Release Action for Stroke Prevention Launches New Health Report Exposing Imminent Risk of a Stroke Crisis in Europe A report launched today by experts from medical and patient communities calls on Europe’s policy makers to take urgent action against preventable strokes that strike thousands of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients …
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December 02, 2009 6:15 AM CT By Peggy Noonan New research, published in the journal Chest, has the potential to improve our ability to predict stroke risk in those with atrial fibrillation and thus to hopefully help them avoid strokes. Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke because it keeps the heart from pumping effectively, allowing …
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November 20, 2009 5:18 AM CT Reporting at the American Heart Association 2009 Scientific Sessions in Orlando, Prof. John Camm (St. George's Hospital, London, UK) presented the results of the RECORD AF registry (Registry on Cardiac Rhythm Disorders AF). This registry was created in the wake of the AFFIRM (Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigationof Rhythm Management) …
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November 16, 2009 5:18 AM CT By Peggy Noonan Researchers have found a new “major predictor” of the development of new cases of atrial fibrillation (AF). The key is N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). Previous studies have shown that levels of a related hormone, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), can predict atrial fibrillation and even death. …
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October 31, 2009 5:21 AM CT By Peggy Noonan and Mellanie True Hills New research shows sleep apnea, a disorder that disrupts breathing during sleep, increases the risk of having arrhythmias. Sleep apnea is believed to be linked to atrial fibrillation (AF) but until now, we didn’t know if apnea could actually trigger arrhythmias like …
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October 29, 2009 5:21 AM CT By Peggy Noonan Research shows that the sooner atrial fibrillation surgery is done, the less likely AF is to recur. A study in the European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery reports that those in permanent atrial fibrillation who underwent left atrial ablation surgery in conjunction with surgery for other heart …
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October 29, 2009 5:21 AM CT World Stroke Day 2009 celebrates that everyone can do something about stroke. As an atrial fibrillation patient, you can learn about your stroke risk and do something about it. Check out the following resources: Stroke risks from afib 2006 ACC/AHA/ESC Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation …
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