Yearly Archives: 2010

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

Are you at risk of bleeding from anticoagulants Coumadin or warfarin: New “HAS-BLED” tool assesses risk for those with atrial fibrillation

One of the most common questions we get centers around the use of anticoagulant drugs—either the brand drug, Coumadin, or the generic version, warfarin—and whether or not an atrial fibrillation patient should be on them. Anticoagulants decrease stroke risk, but can also increase bleeding risk. How do you sort it all out? It's just as …

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

Blacks less likely to receive atrial fibrillation treatment and more likely to have strokes, and southerners are more likely to die from strokes

New studies from the Mayo Clinic and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) show that African Americans are less likely to know they have atrial fibrillation or to be treated with anticoagulants to prevent afib-related strokes, and that stroke deaths are higher among blacks throughout the U.S. and southerners in eight "stroke belt" states. …

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

Salt Lake City Atrial Fibrillation Patient Seminar Includes StopAfib.org CEO Mellanie True Hills

The Comprehensive Arrhythmia Research and Management Center (CARMA) at the University of Utah Heart Center in Salt Lake City, UT will present a free seminar on atrial fibrillation treatments on May 19th at which Dr. Nassir Marrouche and Mellanie True Hills, CEO of StopAfib.org, will speak. Learn more: Salt Lake City, UT Atrial Fibrillation Seminar …

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

New AFib Educator iPhone App and Desktop Widget Helps Atrial Fibrillation Patients and Doctors Communicate

The "AFib Educator" iPhone App and desktop and laptop widget was launched this morning by the AF Stat coalition. The purpose behind the tool is to help doctors communicate with atrial fibrillation patients, but patients can download it, too. Find out more and download it at:  AFib Educator Smartphone App and Desktop Widget Offers Patient …

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

Study Shows Women with Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Have Catheter Ablations Later Than Men, And Have Worse Results

New research from Dr. Andrea Natale and colleagues on gender disparities in atrial fibrillation points out that women with afib are less likely to have catheter ablation treatment than men. When they do have atrial fibrillation catheter ablations, they tend to be older and sicker, meaning that they are more likely to have persistent or …

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

FDA Update on the WATCHMAN® Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Closure Device to Prevent Strokes in Atrial Fibrillation Patients

There was an update today on the long-awaited FDA status of Atritech's WATCHMAN® device. If approved, it would provide an alternative to taking Coumadin or warfarin to prevent strokes for those with atrial fibrillation. Here are some quotes from the press release. Minneapolis (March 18, 2010) — Atritech, Inc., an emerging medical device company, announced …

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

Gene Test Improves Coumadin (warfarin) Use for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

Genetic tests that show high or low sensitivity to blood thinner (anticoagulant) drugs like warfarin (Coumadin) not only improve dosing accuracy but also reduce hospitalization by 31%, according to a new study just presented at the American College of Cardiology scientific sessions. Coumadin is often prescribed for people who have afib to prevent blood clots …

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

Psoriasis is Newly-Recognized Risk Factor for Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke

A new study just presented at the American College of Cardiology scientific sessions found psoriasis to be a significant and independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) and a stroke risk factor, too. Mild psoriasis increases afib risk by 22% while moderate-to-severe psoriasis raises afib risk by 51%. This chronic inflammatory condition also raises other …

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

STOP AF Study Shows that Cryoablation Beats Antiarrhythmic Drugs for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

Important new research from the STOP AF Study of people with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) shows a type of catheter ablation called cryoablation worked better than drugs to control arrhythmias. One year after treatment, 69.9% of people treated with cryoablation had no episodes of afib compared to 7.3% of those who were treated with anti-arrhythmic …

Read More

Coming Soon: AF Stat to launch the “AFib Educator” App and Desktop Widget

The AFib Educator will provide healthcare professionals with an at-hand resource to help illustrate how AFib affects patients including risks and symptoms.The free app and desktop widget will feature detailed animations of the heart, EKG demos and x-ray images. It will also show patients how AFib impacts the flow of blood between the heart's chambers …

Read More