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Arrhythmia mapping system improves freedom from AF during ablation
Vektor Medical has announced that use of the vMap arrhythmia mapping system during complex atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation was associated with significantly improved freedom...
Acesion announces positive phase two data from AF clinical trial
Acesion, the biotech developing first-in-class novel therapies for atrial fibrillation (AF), has today announced positive data from its phase two trial of AP30663, a...
Medtronic receives CE Mark approval for Affera mapping and ablation system to treat arrhythmias
Medtronic has announced today that it has received CE Mark for the Affera mapping and ablation system, which includes the Sphere-9 catheter and the...
Systemic delivery of extracellular vesicles reduces AF in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
A recent study has provided new mechanistic insights identifying distinct atrial electrophysiological remodelling and fibrosis-associated conduction abnormalities favouring atrial fibrillation (AF) susceptibility in heart...
Dual energy AF ablation catheter begins evaluation in SmartfIRE clinical trial
Biosense Webster has announced the first cases with its investigational Thermocool Smarttouch SF dual energy catheter have taken place as part of the SmartfIRE...
ACC 2023: Pulsed AF trial yields “promising” safety and efficacy results for PFA system
Results of the Pulsed AF Pivotal trial, investigating pulsed field ablation (PFA) treatment in patients with paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), have been...
Early rhythm control aids recurrent stroke prevention in patients with AF
Early rhythm control one year after atrial fibrillation (AF) diagnosis has been found to be beneficial in preventing recurrent stroke in patients with incident...
Inpatient AF ablation associated with early mortality and post-procedure complications, study finds
Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation carried out in an inpatient setting is associated with higher rates of early mortality and subsequent complications when compared with...
ACQFORCE FLUTTER trial meets primary safety and efficacy endpoints
Acutus Medical has announced results from the AcQForce Flutter study, evaluating use of the AcQBlate Force sensing ablation catheter and system in the treatment...
AF Symposium hears late-breaking data from RFA and PFA trials
Biosense Webster has announced an update and late-breaking data from trials across radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and pulsed field ablation (PFA) at the 2023 AF...
Periodontitis linked to increased risk of AF in Japanese study
Researchers have found a correlation between periodontitis and fibrosis scarring to an appendage of the heart’s left atrium that can lead to atrial fibrillation...
Digital cardiovascular care company tenacio launches US OptiCor AF patient management system
tenacio, a company focused on digitising cardiovascular care to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, has announced its OptiCor patient management platform is...
Systematic review and meta-analysis finds P-wave duration to increase risk of AF recurrence after...
In their updated meta-analysis of 4,175 patients, Stergios Intzes together with a team from the Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupoli, Greece and the Heart...
Cardiac Insight’s Cardea SOLO wearable ECG system selected for Stanford Medicine study measuring AF...
Cardiac Insight, a specialist in prescription-based wearable cardiac sensors and automated electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis software for cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis, has announced that researchers at...
Enrolment begins in trial to assess efficacy and safety of abelacimab in patients deemed...
Anthos Therapeutics has announced that it has enrolled the first patient in LILAC-TIMI 76, a phase 3 study to evaluate the efficacy and safety...
Medtronic completes enrolment in pulsed field ablation catheter trial for patients with AF
Medtronic has announced enrolment completion and final treatment in the SPHERE Per-AF, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) trial....
Study reveals low reconnection rate with large antral lesion at PW after pentaspline PFA...
A first-of-its-kind analysis on electrophysiological findings in patients with recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia (ATa) following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using the novel pentaspline pulsed-field ablation...
Shared decision-making tool reduces decision conflict and patient regret in use of anticoagulants for...
A recent presentation by Paul J Wang (Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, USA) at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Session 2022 conference (5-7...
Study compares risk of dementia in AF patients undergoing catheter ablation versus drug-therapy
Biosense Webster has announced the publication of data from a study comparing the risk of dementia in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who were...
Ablation as first-line treatment cuts AF progression compared to antiarrhythmic drugs
Ablation as a first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) disease is associated with significantly better clinical outcomes than starting with antiarrhythmic drugs.
These were the...
AF screening strategy “would save societal costs”
Screening to detect atrial fibrillation (AF) in older people would not only increase the chance of preventing stroke, it would also save money for...
Health economic analysis finds benefit to AF screening with Zio XT ambulatory patch
iRhythm Technologies has announced a new health economic analysis of the mSToPS study, presented at the American Heart Association (AHA) scientific sessions 2022 (5–7...
Study of Signal Complexity algorithm for AF detection launched
CathVision has announced the investigation of the Signal Complexity algorithm designed to visualise and quantify atrial fibrillation (AF) complexity parameters in patients with persistent...
Apixaban associated with lower risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in AF patients compared to other...
Use of apixaban was associated with a lower risk of gastrointestinal bleed and similar rates of ischaemic stroke or systemic embolism, intracranial haemorrhage and...
Catheter ablation of AF “increased cerebral blood flow”, observational study finds
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has favourable effects on cerebral blood flow, particularly in non-paroxysmal AF, research published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.
The results...
Smartwatch detection of AF “more challenging in patients with pre-existing cardiac disease”
A real-world study of smartwatch electrocardiography (ECG) tools for the detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) has found that the use of such devices is...
AI algorithm identifies hidden AF cases in screening study
Researchers have used artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate patients’ electrocardiograms (ECGs) in a targeted strategy to screen for atrial fibrillation (AF). In the digitally-enabled,...
Two decades of development in AF treatment and education
This year marked the 20th edition of the Atrial Fibrillation Symposium (AFIB2022; 24–25 May, Copenhagen, Denmark) which, over its lifetime, has evolved to become...
Researchers find link between COVID-19 and new-onset AF
A study in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology has identified new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in one in 20 patients hospitalised with COVID-19.
Using data from the...
AtriAN initiates second trial of pulsed field ablation in cardiothoracic surgery patients with paroxysmal...
AtriAN Medical has announced that it has completed enrolment of a second study using its selective pulsed field ablation (PFA) technology for the treatment...
New data hint at “hard to beat” efficacy and safety for rotational TLE
Data from the PROMET and RELEASE studies provide important new insights into the safety and efficacy of rotational transvenous lead extraction (TLE), Christoph Starck...
ESC 2022: Findings of CAPLA trial “do not support inclusion of posterior wall isolation”...
The addition of posterior wall isolation (PWI) does not improve arrhythmia outcomes compared with pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone in patients undergoing first time...
AF Symposium 2023
W: afsymposium.com
ESC 2022: Risk score predicts mortality for AF patients after TAVI
Researchers have developed a risk score to predict mortality for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who have undergone a successful transcatheter aortic valve implantation...
Medtronic adds cardiac mapping platform through Affera acquisition
Medtronic has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Affera. The acquisition will expand Medtronic’s cardiac ablation portfolio to include its first cardiac...
ESC 2022: Smartphone screening doubles AF detection rate in eBRAVE-AF
Screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) using a smartphone app more than doubled the detection and treatment rate in older people compared to routine screening,...
Merit Medical launches SafeGuard Focus Cool compression device
Merit Medical has announced the launch of its SafeGuard Focus Cool compression device.
It is part of a broader cardiac portfolio that offers products and...
Recent AF diagnosis and multiple comorbidities warrants early rhythm control strategy
Patients with recently diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) with a high burden of comorbidities should be considered for early rhythm control to reduce cardiovascular outcomes,...
Cryocure-2 study reports 85% freedom from AF at one year
Adagio Medical has announced the publication of the results of its Cryocure-2 ultra-low temperature cryoablation (ULTC) study in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in...
Analysis sets out generalisability of EAST-AFNET 4 trial findings
Around 80% of patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) in the UK population are eligible for early rhythm control, an analysis of the EAST-AFNET...
Catheter ablation “economically attractive” compared to drug therapy for AF
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) was economically attractive compared with drug therapy in the CABANA (Catheter ablation versus antiarrhythmic drug therapy for atrial...
AF after surgery is linked to an increased risk of heart failure hospitalisation
People who develop an arrhythmia after surgery have an increased risk of subsequently being admitted to hospital with heart failure, according to a study...
Deep-learning model could predict AF after 24-hour ECG monitoring
A study, published in the European Heart Journal–Digital Health, shows the predictive potential of a deep-learning model in identifying patients at risk of atrial...
German GALLERY registry reports on safety and efficacy of laser lead extraction
A national, multicentre registry investigating the safety and efficacy of laser lead extraction has reported high success- and low procedure-related complication rates associated with...
TVT 2022: DAPT after Watchman FLX LAAO is comparable to currently approved regimens
Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) using the Watchman FLX (Boston Scientific) device was comparable in terms of rates of...
Cordella meets safety and efficacy endpoints in SIRONA 2 clinical trial
Endotronix has announced data from the SIRONA 2 clinical trial evaluating safety and efficacy of its Cordella pulmonary artery pressure sensor system in New...
“Solid” data point to benefit of early rhythm control for AF patients
Findings of the EAST-AFNET 4 trial, examining the benefit of early rhythm control therapy in patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF), should influence...
HRS 2022: Same day discharge “benefits AF ablation patients”
Results of a study presented at the Heart Rhythm Society’s 2022 annual meeting (HRS 2022, 29 April–1 May, San Francisco, USA) show that the...
New data from STROKE AF trial shared at HRS 2022
Medtronic has announced new data from the STROKE AF clinical trial, showing that large and small vessel ischaemic stroke patients who receive short-term or...
Early experience shows benefit to high-power short-duration AF ablation
The use of high-power, short duration ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) has the potential to speed up procedural times and increase the number of...
Trio of studies on Zio AF detection patch presented at ACC.22
iRhythm Technologies has announced the results of three clinical research studies presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual scientific sessions (ACC 2022, 2–4...
EHRA 2022: GPs back routine AF screening
Screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) should be integrated into flu vaccination and cancer screening programmes, according to a survey of general practitioners (GPs) conducted...
EHRA 2022: Overweight patients at greater risk of AF recurrence
Overweight patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are more likely to experience a return of the heart rhythm disorder after a corrective procedure than those...
SafeCross transseptal balloon gets first commercial use
East End Medical has announced the first commercial use of its SafeCross transseptal radiofrequency (RF) puncture and steerable balloon introducer system. The system is...
AF Symposium 2022: Lower pulmonary vein to left atrium volume ratio predicts AF recurrence
Pulmonary vein-left atrial (PV/LA) volume ratio is a significantly better predictor power for atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence than LA dimension in patients with normal...
AF Symposium 2022: Latest evidence for lattice tip catheter ablation strategies shared
Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) and/or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) using a lattice-tip catheter can both isolate pulmonary veins (PVs) and create linear lesions efficiently and safely,...
Study shows improved AF detection using MCOT patch and implantable loop recorder
Royal Philips has announced new research evaluating mobile cardiac outpatient telemetry (MCOT) as a first-line diagnostic ambulatory monitoring solution with post-cryptogenic stroke patients.
The study...
Researchers warn of safety risk to ICDs from mobile devices
Portable electronic devices containing magnets may inhibit pulse generators for implanted cardiac devices (ICDs) and pacemakers according to new research published in Circulation: Arrhythmia...
Same-day discharge for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation deemed safe and feasible
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis, published in the Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology, has deemed same-day discharge following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation...
Physcological stress linked with initiation and potentiation of AF
A review paper published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology explores the potential mechanisms linking stress and atrial fibrillation (AF), and the possible uses of stress...
New data underpin drive towards earlier AF ablation strategies
Historically, catheter ablation has been reserved for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients who have failed to respond to, or tolerate antiarrhythmic drug therapy, electrophysiologist Dhiraj...
Hot balloon ablation and cryoballoon ablation deemed effective for AF treatment
Both cryoballoon ablation (CBA) and hot balloon ablation (HBA) are effective treatment options for atrial fibrillation (AF), however, patients treated with HBA are more...
Study provides “clear evidence” that alcohol is a risk factor for AF
Acute alcohol consumption is associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), a study published in Nature Cardiovascular Research has concluded
The study is...
AtriAN Medical present results of Neural AF trial at AF Symposium 2022
According to a press release, AtriAN Medicals clinical data from the Neural atrial fibrillation (AF) study was presented by Vivek Reddy (Mount Sinai Hospital,...
Medtronic to acquire Affera
Medtronic has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire medical technology company Affera.
Affera designs and manufactures cardiac mapping and navigation systems...
NICE approves KardiaMobile for AF detection in patients with suspected paroxysmal AF
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued Medical Technologies Guidance (MTG) recommending KardiaMobile (AliveCor) as an option for detecting atrial...
First patient treated in SPHERE PerAF trial
Affera has announced that the first patient was treated in the recently approved SPHERE PerAF trial, a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Investigational...
Cardialen gets FDA approval for study of its Multipulse Therapy for AF
Cardialen has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an investigational device exemption (IDE) to begin a clinical trial of...
AF risk increases during the first year after breast cancer diagnosis in women
Women diagnosed with breast cancer are significantly more likely to develop atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to women without cancer, according to research published in...
AHA 2021: Fitbit shows promise for detection of AF
Results of the Fitbit Heart study, presented during a late-breaking science session at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2021 (AHA 2021; 13–15 November;...
Aveir meets primary safety and efficacy endpoints in Leadless II IDE study
Data from the global Leadless II IDE study evaluating the Aveir (Abbott) leadless pacemaker in patients with certain abnormal heart rhythms show that the...
Non-invasive technique could detect thrombosis caused by AF
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH, Boston, USA) have reported the detection and characterisation of thrombosis using fibrin-targeted positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance...
CHANGE AFib to explore impact of early treatment of AF
A pragmatic clinical trial—CHANGE AFib—will determine whether early treatment with the antiarrhythmic drug dronedarone improves cardiovascular and long-term outcomes in patients presenting with first-detected...
Study shows safety and efficacy of robotic-guided ablation to treat paediatric arrhythmias
Stereotaxis has announced publication of a study in the International Journal of Cardiology: Heart & Vascular demonstrating superior safety and efficacy of Stereotaxis’ robotic...
Study highlights temporal relationship between AF and stroke
Medtronic has announced the publication of a study demonstrating, through the use of a continuous rhythm monitoring device, that atrial fibrillation (AF) is directly...
Vascade MVP vascular closure system gains same-day discharge labelling for AF ablation
Haemonetics Corporation has announced that the Vascade MVP venous vascular closure system is has received a US Food and Drug (FDA) indication for same-day...
AF Symposium 2022
W: afsymposium.com
APAF-CRT: Ablation and CRT beat drug therapy in permanent AF patients with narrow QRS
Ablation plus cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is superior to pharmacological rate control in reducing mortality in severely symptomatic permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with...
Targeting atrial fibrosis in AF patients with low levels of disease “may help improve...
Image-guided fibrosis ablation in addition to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) does not improve ablation success rates compared to PVI alone in patients with persistent...
First patients enrolled in SPACE-AF study
Galaxy Medical announced today the initiation of the SPACE-AF study with enrolment of the first two patients at Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket,...
QardioDirect adds ambulatory cardiac monitoring to diagnose AF
QardioDirect, the all-inclusive service for remote patient monitoring (RPM) from Qardio, now includes ambulatory cardiac monitoring to help diagnose atrial fibrillation (AF) along with...
ESC 2021: AliveCor touts results of KardiaMobile 6L in AF detection study
AliveCor has announced the results of what it describes as the largest study to assess the reliability of the detection of atrial fibrillation (AF)...
ESC 2021: Edoxaban shown to be noninferior to warfarin for adverse events after TAVI
Edoxaban is noninferior to warfarin and its analogues for adverse clinical events in patients with atrial fibrillation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), new...
ESC 2021: Abbott’s Amulet occluder shows promise against Watchman device in AF treatment
Abbott has announced late-breaking data from the Amulet LAA Occluder IDE trial, a multicentre, head-to-head study comparing the company's Amplatzer Amulet left atrial appendage...
ESC 2021: ACTIVE-AF finds benefits for exercise programme in AF patients
A six-month exercise programme helps maintain normal heart rhythm and reduces the severity of symptoms in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), according to late-breaking...
Night shift work may be linked to increased risk of AF
People who work night shifts are at increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF), according to research published in the European Heart Journal.
The study...
HRS 2021: Early rhythm control benefits AF patients with heart failure
Rhythm control therapy offers a clinical benefit when initiated within one year of a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with signs or...
Affera’s SpherePVI gets first-in-human use
Affera has announced the first-in-human use of its circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) pulsed field ablation (PFA) catheter, SpherePVI.
The work was conducted as part...
Research highlights AF risk factors for HCM patients
The authors of research published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology claim that their findings will help physicians to identify, treat and prevent atrial fibrillation (AF)...
FDA approval for SafeCross transseptal RF system
East End Medical has announced it has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for the company's SafeCross transseptal radiofrequency (RF) puncture &...
Medtronic launches app-based study to probe relationship between AF disease burden and patient outcomes
Medtronic has announced the initiation of DEFINE AFib, an app-based research study which aims to address unanswered questions around atrial fibrillation (AF) burden and...
AHA statement on AF and HFrEF positive for catheter ablation
The American Heart Association (AHA) has this week issued a scientific statement on the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure...
Vaccination centre screening campaign reports success at “opportunistic” AF detection
A campaign by Arrhythmia Alliance to DETECT atrial fibrillation (AF)—the most common type of arrhythmia—found that 6% of people aged 65 or older attending...
RAFT-AF fails to show benefit of AF ablation in heart failure patients
Among patients with both heart failure and atrial fibrillation (AF), treatment strategies focused on rhythm control, using catheter ablation, and those focused on rate...
Medtronic announces publication of STROKE AF trial results
Medtronic has announced clinical trial results from the STROKE AF trial demonstrating the superiority of the Reveal LINQ insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) to detect...
Wearables study shows physical activity reduces AF risk
Physical activity that conforms to medical and health association guidelines is associated with a lower risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and stroke, according to...
ACC.21: LAAO after heart surgery offers “new paradigm” for stroke prevention in AF patients
Patients with an elevated risk of stroke due to arrhythmia or atrial fibrillation (AF), were much less likely to suffer a stroke after undergoing...
Abbott initiates trial focusing on twin AF and heart failure treatments
Abbott has announced a new trial focused on improving the treatment for people simultaneously battling both atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure.
The TAP-CHF trial...
AtriCure’s EPi-Sense system approved by US FDA for treatment of long-standing persistent AF
AtriCure has announced US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the EPi-Sense system to treat patients diagnosed with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).
The...
Smartphone ECG screening app aided detection of AF among American Indians
A smartphone-based electrocardiogram (ECG) screening accurately detected previously unknown atrial fibrillation (AF) in American Indians, and more than half who were diagnosed were younger...
EHRA 2021: Diabetic patients could be screened for AF during foot assessments
Atrial fibrillation (AF) could be detected during annual foot assessments in patients with diabetes, according to research presented today at the European Heart Rhythm...
Putting the patient at the centre of the AF treatment strategy
This article was sponsored by Biosense Webster
Putting the patient at the centre of the discussion is vital to setting the right strategy for the...
Oxford study to assess smart devices for AF detection
A project at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Oxford, UK) to test how effective smart devices are at detecting heart rhythm problems has...
MultiPulse therapy “shows promise” in the treatment of AF
Cardialen has announced the publication of a first-in-human study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Clinical Electrophysiology investigating its low-voltage MultiPulse...
Charity targets vaccine centres for opportunistic AF screening campaign
AF Association has launched an opportunistic screening programme to DETECT atrial fibrillation (AF) at COVID-19 vaccination clinics across the UK. The charity has created...
DOACs show better safety and effectiveness versus warfarin in patients with valvular AF
Patients with valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) who were new users of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) were at lower risk for ischaemic stroke or systemic...
US FDA grants Breakthrough Device Designation for AF ECG analysis platform
Tempus has announced that the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the company Breakthrough Device Designation for its ECG analysis platform. The...
Daiichi Sankyo leads partnership to improve access to at-home AF diagnostics
Daiichi Sankyo has announced that it has entered into a collaborative agreement with three technology partners—FibriCheck, neoHealthTech and Capitol Medicare—to improve timely detection and...
Index-beat approach improves diagnosis of heart failure in AF patients
An assessment method known as the index-beat approach could improve the diagnosis of heart failure in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), authors of a...
Looking ahead to AFIB2021
Far from being the first event in the electrophysiology calendar now to make the switch to a digital-only format, the 2021 edition of the...
AF burden at six months predictive of hard clinical outcomes in heart failure
Atrial fibrillation (AF) burden at six months after catheter ablation is predictive of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalisation, in AF patients with heart...
Open-source platform could aid study of AF
An open-source platform, OpenEP, has been made available to advance research on atrial fibrillation (AF), which developers claim can perform 90% of the analyses...
SCREEN-AF study results published in JAMA Cardiology
iRhythm Technologies has announced the results of the SCREEN-AF study, led by researchers at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Canada and University Hospital...
HeartLight X3 pivotal study meets safety and efficacy endpoints
CardioFocus has announced that results from the HeartLight X3 Pivotal Study have been published online in the journal Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology (CircEP), showing...
New recommendations issued on antithrombotic treatment of AF patients undergoing PCI
Updated recommendations on the optimal antithrombotic treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving oral anticoagulants after undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have been...
CardiacSense’s AF monitoring watch gains CE mark
CardiacSense has received the CE mark to market and sell a medical grade watch which can detect and remotely monitor atrial fibrillation (AF) and...
“Strong evidence” of a causal link between high blood pressure and AF
A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology provides “strong evidence” of a causal relationship between elevated blood pressure and atrial fibrillation...
AF Symposium 2021: Experts debate early ablation strategy in AF
The merits of catheter ablation as a first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) were considered during the second day of AF Symposium 2021 (29–31...
AF Symposium 2021: HARTCAP-AF supports hybrid over catheter ablation
Hybrid ablation, a procedure which involves “attacking” the atrial substrate from the epicardium and endocardium, has been shown to result in significantly higher freedom...
AF Symposium 2021: Studies explore lattice-tip catheter strategies for AF
Findings of two studies investigating the use of a lattice-tip catheter for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) were presented during a late-breaking trial...
AF Symposium 2021: Hybrid, multidisciplinary therapy superior to catheter ablation for long-standing persistent AF
Results of a sub-analysis of the CONVERGE clinical trial, presented during a late-breaking trial session at the digital AF Symposium (29–31 January, virtual), suggest...
AF Symposium 2021: Live case from ECLIPSE-AF study to feature
Galaxy Medical, a developer of pulsed electric field (PEF) technology for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, has announced that the proprietary Centauri system will...
AF Symposium 2021: Early results of CathVision Cube to be announced
CathVision ApS has announced that its novel cardiac electrophysiology system and artificial intelligence platform to guide ablation therapy for heart rhythm disorders, will be...
AF Symposium 2021: Two cases highlight Acutus’ mapping technology
Acutus Medical has announced a number presentations relating to its mapping and ablation procedures during 26th Annual International AF Symposium (29–31 January, virtual). The...
Cardialen awarded US$2.8 million grant for study of low-energy cardioversion in AF
Cardialen has been awarded a US$2.8 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) phase II SBIR grant to further the clinical study of low-energy cardioversion...
Richer European countries have higher AF death rates than their less wealthy neighbours
The wealthiest countries in Europe have higher death rates from atrial fibrillation (AF) than the least wealthy and these death rates are increasing more...
Activating patient engagement to evolve AF care
Patient engagement is key to optimising outcomes in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) argues Elana Arbelo (Consultant Cardiac Electrophysiologist and Community Cardiologist, Hospital...
Wearables offer “great potential” in AF screening but physicians cautious over mass use
Consumer wearables offer a great potential for the screening of atrial fibrillation (AF), however two thirds of healthcare professionals admit to concerns over mass...
Regular alcohol consumption linked to increased AF risk
A study of nearly 108,000 people has found that people who regularly drink a modest amount of alcohol are at increased risk of atrial...
PRECAF study looks at elimination of distal coronary sinus to left atrial connection for...
Elimination of distal coronary sinus (CS) to left atrial (LA) connections reduced atrial arrhythmia recurrences compared to standard pulmonary vein (PV) isolation and non-PV...
ACC recommends against “triple therapy” in AF patients
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has issued guidance recommending against triple antithrombotic therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), due to its increased...
Volta Medical’s VX1 AI software for use in AF mapping now FDA cleared
Volta Medical has announced that it has obtained US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for its VX1 AI (artificial intelligence) software. According to...
Heavy alcohol consumption leads to higher stroke risk in AF patients
Fourteen drinks a week is linked with a higher risk of stroke and embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), according to research published...
Study compares WatchPAT to in-lab diagnosis of sleep apnoea in AF patients
Itamar Medical has announced the publication of a study in the December 2020 edition of Nature and Science of Sleep validating the use of...
AHA 2020: Active AF screening associated with significant improvement in clinical outcomes at three...
Three-year clinical outcomes of the mHealth Screening to Prevent Strokes—mSToPS—study evaluating silent, or previously undiagnosed, atrial fibrillation (AF) in moderate-risk individuals using Zio, the...
AHA 2020: AF detected more often in high risk patients recovering from cardiac surgery
Atrial fibrillation (AF) was detected up to 10 times more frequently in high risk patients recovering from heart surgery who wore a continuous cardiac...
AHA 2020: Rivaroxaban may be comparable to warfarin for bioprosthetic mitral valves, AF
The primary results from the RIVER Trial—Rivaroxaban for Valvular Heart disease and Atrial Fibrillation—show that rivaroxaban is comparable to warfarin for patients with bioprosthetic...
Boston Scientific initiates CHAMPION-AF trial of Watchman FLX
Boston Scientific has initiated the CHAMPION-AF clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Watchman FLX left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device...
MRI scans can be performed safely in non-MR ICDs, study finds
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations can be performed safely in patients with non-MR compatible cardiac devices, including those who are pacemaker-dependent or have abandoned...
Development of AF after CABG linked to higher risk of cerebrovascular accidents at 10...
Patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery are at a higher risk of cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) up to...
Catheter ablation linked to lower incidence of dementia in AF patients
People with atrial fibrillation (AF) have a reduced risk of dementia if they undergo catheter ablation to restore the normal rhythm of their heart,...
AF Symposium 2021
W: https://www.afsymposium.com/
VivaLNK wearable ECG to be used in AF biomarkers study
VivaLNK has announced that the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) (San Francisco, USA), will be utilising its continuous wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor for...
Air pollution exposure multiplies risk of stroke in AF patients
Sufferers of atrial fibrillation (AF) who are exposed to greater levels of pollution have a 1.2-fold higher risk of stroke than their peers who...
Fitbit receives US and European approvals for ECG app to identify AF
Fitbit has received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as Conformité Européenne (CE) marking in the European Union,...
ESC 2020 Congress: IMPACT-AFib finds no statistical difference in anticoagulant usage
A study investigating an educational intervention aimed at increasing the use of oral anticoagulants for stroke prevention among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, found that...
ESC 2020 Congress: Digoxin found to be favourable in rate control for permanent AF...
Digoxin should be considered as a first-line approach for rate control in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). This was the conclusion of the...
ESC 2020 Congress: AF associated with long-term mortality in primary PCI patients regardless of...
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with long-term mortality in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), irrespective of left ventricular (LV) function, a study...
ESC 2020 Congress: Daiichi Sankyo announces results from ETNA-AF studies
Daiichi Sankyo Europe has announced one-year results of four sub-analyses from the European and global ETNA-AF (Edoxaban Treatment in routiNe clinical prActice in patients...
ESC Congress 2020: EAST-AFNET 4 finds early rhythm control improves AF outcomes
Patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation benefit from early rhythm control therapy, according to results of the EAST-AFNET 4 trial presented in a Hot...
ESC 2020 Congress: STOP AF First finds cryoballoon ablation safer than drug treatment for...
Cryoballoon catheter ablation as a first line treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) was found to be safer and more effective than anti arrhythmic...
ESC Congress 2020: Guidelines push individualised approach to AF
Patients with arrhythmia should choose the treatment plan with their health professionals, according to European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines published online today in...
ESC Congress 2020: Smoking cessation linked to reduced stroke risk in AF patients
Research presented at the ESC Congress 2020 (Virtual, 29 August–1 September) suggests that, among atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, those who quit smoking were 30%...
Low rates of bleeding and mortality reported in one-year results of ETNA-AF trial
Daiichi Sankyo Europe has announced the publication of one-year follow-up results from the ongoing ETNA-AF-Europe (Edoxaban Treatment in routiNe clinical prActice for patients with...
Fitness linked to lower arrhythmia recurrence after AF ablation
Patients undergoing atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, who are physically fit before the procedure, have a much higher chance of benefiting from the procedure and...
Abbott begins IDE study of TactiFlex device for paroxysmal AF
Abbott has announced first enrolments in the TactiFlex PAF IDE study to evaluate a new device to treat people suffering from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation...
Prompt diagnosis “vital” in effective AF management
Dhiraj Gupta, consultant cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, (Liverpool, UK) discusses the current burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) on healthcare...
Continuous electrocardiogram monitoring post-stroke patients uncovers AF in 4.6% of patients
Screening patients in a primary care setting over one year after occurrence of a stroke using seven-day Holter monitoring uncovered atrial fibrillation (AF) in 4.6%...
Lower rate of post-ablation arrhythmia recurrence found in patients with shorter AF episodes
Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes limited to less than 24 continuous hours had a significantly lower incidence of arrhythmia recurrence following AF ablation...
Study shows LAAO reduces major bleeding and mortality compared with NOACs in high-risk AF...
Jens Erik Nielsen-Kudsk (Aarhus, Denmark) speaks to Cardiovascular News about a propensity score-matched study which examined left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) compared with novel...
PCR e-Course 2020: Left atrial appendage occlusion improves clinical outcomes versus NOACs in high...
Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) improves clinical outcomes including ischaemic stroke, major bleeding and all-cause mortality, in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with a high...
AI-based ECG analysis reduces false positives in AF detection
Cardiologs, in partnership with the Valley Health System, has announced the results of a clinical study that found the Cardiologs AI-based ECG analysis solution...
Contact force sensing catheters “safe and effective” in persistent AF ablation
Contact force (CF) sensing catheters have been shown to be safe and effective in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation, according to the findings of...
Results of PULSED AF trial presented at HRS 2020 Science
Initial results of the PULSED AF trial, the first-in-human results for paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with pulsed field ablation (PFA) were...
Heart Rhythm Society launches white paper on AF centres of excellence
The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) has released a white paper announcing the rationale and core components for Atrial Fibrillation (AF) centres of excellence (CoE),...
Fitbit to enrol patients in AF detection study
Fitbit has today launched the Fitbit Heart Study, its first large-scale, virtual study to validate the use of its wearable technology to identify episodes...
Same-day discharge “feasible for majority of AF ablation patients”
Same-day discharge after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is feasible for the majority of patients when a standardised protocol is used, findings of a multicentre cohort study, published in the Journal of the American...
EU-funded project to assess AF screening algorithm
The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) is participating in two large-scale EU-funded projects to detect heart rhythm disorders and prevent sudden cardiac death.
The first...
AI study launched to monitor cardiac safety of COVID-19 patients receiving hydroxychloroquine
Cardiologs has announced the launch of a clinical study using the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) solution to remotely monitor the cardiac safety of COVID-19...
Virtual ACC: Largest left atrial appendage occlusion registry finds Watchman acute safety data “very...
Data from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) Registry, which enrolled more than 38,000 patients implanted percutaneously with the...
Algorithms can identify rate of OAC prescription for AF in emergency departments
Researchers have derived several algorithms to identify emergency department (ED) oral anticoagulant prescriptions for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in a large health dataset....
Novel device “safely obliterates” left atrial appendage with minimal amount left behind
The novel left atrial appendage (LAA) closure device Appligator (Append Medical) was a finalist in the 2019 ICI Innovation Award Competition (Innovation in Cardiovascular...
Novel lattice tip catheter safe, feasible, and durable in RF ablation
Rapid high-current, temperature-controlled point-by-point pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and linear ablation has been shown to be clinically feasible and safe in a first-in-human study...
Eko receives FDA clearance for AF and heart murmur algorithms
Eko has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared a suite of algorithms that, when combined with Eko’s digital stethoscopes,...
AF Symposium 2020: Cryoablation pulmonary vein isolation is safe and effective for persistent atrial...
Hugh Calkins (Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, USA) told delegates attending the AF Symposium 2020 (23–25 January, Washington, DC, USA) that cryoablation with the...
AF Symposium 2020: Myocardial specificity of pulsed field ablation provides safety advantage for persistent...
At the AF Symposium 2020 (23–25 January, Washington, DC, USA), Vivek Y Reddy (Helmsley Electrophysiology Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA)...
AF Symposium 2020: Acutus Medical live streams case using AcQMap System
Acutus Medical offered a demonstration of its AcQMap advanced cardiac imaging and mapping system at AF Symposium (23–25 January, Washington, DC, USA) with a live-stream...
AF Symposium 2020: Use-as-needed NOAC strategy is safe and effective for selected AF patients
Speaking today at the AF Symposium (23–25 January, Washington, DC, USA), Francis Marchlinski (Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA) reported that selected...
ACC makes senior staff appointments
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has announced several promotions and structural changes within its senior staff. The College said that the staff changes...
European trial data ‘reinforce’ safety profile and efficacy of Lixiana
Daiichi Sankyo Europe has announced outcomes from an observational study in mainly caucasian atrial fibrillation (AF) patients being treated with the anti-coagulation drug edoxaban...
FDA panel votes against approval of AF drug Brinavess
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee (CRDAC) has voted not to recommend approval for the anti-arrhythmic drug...
Artificial intelligence can predict AF and mortality from ECGs
Using artificial intelligence (AI) to examine echocardiograms (ECGs) can identify patients at risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF), as well as accurately predict one-year...
Apple Heart study finds low rates of AF notification, and high level of agreement...
Final results from the Apple Heart study demonstrate a low probability of receiving an irregular pulse notification. It also found that 34% of those...
Global AF Aware Week 2019 begins on 18 November
Monday 18 November marks the start of Global AF Aware Week 2019, launched by the AF Association. The annual awareness week is dedicated to...
Study suggests routine use of AI-based machine learning algorithms could increase detection of undiagnosed...
A joint press release from Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer has highlighted the findings of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based machine learning (ML) technique that...
Left atrial appendage closure associated with a decreased stroke risk in AF patients
Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) via implanted device was associated with a decreased risk of admission for stroke, compared with the expected risk without...
AF Symposium 2020
W: afsymposium.com
Almost one in 200 patients die early after AF ablation in a real-world analysis...
Early mortality following atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation affects nearly one in 200 patients, with the majority of deaths occurring during 30-day readmission, an analysis...
Low bleeding and cardiovascular events in elderly NVAF patients using edoxaban, European results show
Daiichi Sankyo has announced one-year follow-up results from an analysis of 12,574 European non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients, mostly elderly, treated with edoxaban (Lixiana)....
Cardiac magnetic resonance safe and effective at measuring the contraction response to resynchronisation therapy
Researchers have used cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging for the first time to demonstrate the mechanistic improvements in cardiac contractility consequent to cardiac resynchronisation...
HRC 2019: Post-implantation QRS area is a better predictor of cardiac mortality after CRT...
Osita Okafor (Aston University, Birmingham, UK) presented an oral abstract this week at the Heart Rhythm Congress (HRC 2019; 6–9 October, Birmingham, UK) that...
HRC 2019: Sequential approach using STAR mapping system identifies key early sites of activation...
The use of a Stochastic Trajectory Analysis of Ranked signals (STAR) mapping approach consistently identified early sites of activation (ESA) in patients with persistent...
AccuCinch ventricular repair system associated with favourable safety profile at 30 days
Data from an interim analysis of heart failure patients treated in the CorCinch FMR study show, a press release reports, that the AccuCinch ventricular...
TCT 2019: Apixaban plus a P2Y12 inhibitor is the optimal strategy for AF with...
A prespecified analysis of data from the AUGUSTUS study, released at late-breaking session at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics scientific symposium (TCT 2019; 25–29 September,...
ESC 2019: Maximum-fixed energy shocks are more effective than low-escalating energy shocks for cardioverting...
A study that compared the use of maximum-fixed energy and low-escalating energy shocks for cardioversion in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) found that maximum-fixed...
ESC 2019: Catheter ablation may be up to 10 times more effective than drug...
Results from the Atrial fibrillation progression trial (ATTEST) were presented on 31 August at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress 2019 in Paris,...
ESC 2019: Study suggests increased use of DOACs in AF leads to lower healthcare...
A four-year Italian study of oral anticoagulant (OAC) use in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) has shown that as prescription rates increased healthcare costs...
Adaptive CRT associated with decreased risk of AF compared to standard biventricular pacing
In a large, real-world population of cardiac resynchronisation therapy recipients followed by remote monitoring, use of the adaptive cardiac resynchronisation therapy biventricular and left...
New technology improves atrial fibrillation detection after stroke
A new method of evaluating irregular heartbeats outperformed the approach that is currently used widely in stroke units to detect instances of atrial fibrillation.
The...
Pooled analysis shows LAAC is cheaper than drug therapy for AF
A pooled analysis of five-year data from the PROTECT AF and PREVAIL trials has shown left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) to be cost‐effective, and...
Diagnosing AF with ICMs leads to short- and long-term changes in patient care
Using insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) to identify atrial fibrillation (AF) in a population at high risk for stroke guides both immediate and long-term patient...
First-in-human study demonstrates safety and efficacy of QDOT MICRO ablation catheter
Data presented at Heart Rhythm 2019 (8–11 May, San Francisco, USA) and published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology indicates that the QDOT MICRO (Biosense Webster),...
NOAC therapy leads to increased risk of ischaemic events following TAVI in AF patients
The one-year bleeding risk for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who undergo transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is the same whether they are receiving...
White paper from Heart Rhythm Society suggests Afib treatment has reached a “turning point”
The Heart Rhythm Society has published a white paper looking at the consequences of oral anticoagulants for managing stroke risk in atrial fibrillation which...
REAFFIRM trial data show no significant difference between rotor ablation and conventional therapy
Johannes Brachmann (Coburg, Germany) speaks to Cardiac Rhythm News at HRS 2019 about the REAFFIRM trial, which compared the use of rotor ablation versus...
Boston Scientific initiates trial comparing left atrial appendage closure to direct oral anticoagulants for...
According to a press release, Boston Scientific has initiated the OPTION trial to compare safety and effectiveness of the next-generation Watchman FLX left atrial...
HRS 2019: Ear clip uses neurostimulation to effectively reduce AFib burden
A trial evaluating Parasym’s neurostimulation technology shows that an ear-clip-like device can help reduce atrial fibrillation burden. The results were presented at the Heart...
Mapping early sites of activation for AF can be used to guide ablation
A stochastic vector-based approach to mapping and ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) can be used to determine early sites of activation and to guide...
Luminize demonstrates safety and efficacy at 30 days
The Luminize (Boston Scientific) radiofrequency balloon catheter is safe and effective at 30 days in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, data from the AF-FICIENT...
Phased RFA for AF shows efficacy and quality of life improvements
Phased radiofrequency (RF) ablation using the PVAC GOLD catheter for pulmonary vein isolation in paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) has demonstrated good outcomes for...
Biomarkers may predict AF after catheter ablation
Researchers have identified a combination of serum biomarkers that is independently associated with higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation, and with increased incidence and recurrence...
Eliminate AF shows low thromboembolic and bleeding events with edoxaban
Uninterrupted anticoagulation with edoxaban (Lixiana, Daiichi Sankyo) resulted in low rates of thromboembolic and bleeding events in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing catheter ablation,...
High power short duration ablation for atrial fibrillation: Safety and effectiveness
As part of a session on novel mapping and ablation technologies of atrial fibrillation (AF) at the recent AF Symposium in Boston, USA (24–26...
CABANA finds reduced AF and better quality of life after ablation but no reduction...
Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation leads to a reduction in atrial fibrillation, better quality of life and lower hospitalisations than medical therapy, but does...
Late-breaking trial highlights positive safety and efficacy data for the LUMINIZE RF balloon catheter
Boston Scientific announced data from the AF-FICIENT I study during a late-breaking clinical trial session at the 2019 European Heart Rhythm Association annual congress...
First AF patient treated in US IDE study evaluating QDot Micro RF ablation catheter
It was recently announced that Biosense Webster has enrolled and treated the first patient in its US Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) study, which evaluates...
Use of a radiation safety time out reduces radiation exposure during electrophysiology procedures
A study carried out at the New York University Langone Health Electrophysiology Lab (New York, USA) showed significantly reduced radiation exposure levels after implementing...
First patient enrolled in ICE-AFIB clinical trial
A press release reports that the first patient has been enrolled in the ICE-AFIB clinical trial (AtriCure). Following Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval by...
Prevent POAF by simultaneous monitoring of autonomic tone and ectopic activity
Simultaneous monitoring of autonomic tone and ectopic activity could be used to prevent the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). Flavia Ravelli (Department of...
First patient treated in TERMINATE AF clinical trial
The first patient has been treated in the TERMINATE AF trial (Medtronic). This is a multi-centre study evaluating two surgical ablation devices—the Cardioblate irrigated...
AHA 2018: Computerised-decision support has the potential to be a “powerful tool” for preventing...
Data presented at the 2018 American Heart Association (AHA) scientific session scientific sessions (10–12 November, Chicago, USA) indicate that the use of alert-based computerised-decision...
Presence of left bundle branch block significantly increases risk of pacemaker implantation after TAVI
Quentin Fischer (Department of Cardiology, Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada) and others report in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions that patients...
New report on the burden of AF in Europe released
During AF Association Global AF Aware Week, Biosense Webster EMEA has published a report that uncovers the growing burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) on...
New harmonised outcome measures for AF published
New harmonised outcome measures for atrial fibrillation (AF) have been published in HeartRhythm. The work was funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and...
Migraines that affect vision may increase risk of irregular heartbeat
People who experience migraine with visual aura may have an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, according to a study published in the online issue...
DIAMOND-AF paroxysmal study complete with first enrolment in DIAMOND-AF II persistent study
EPIX Therapeutics, a medical device company that designs and manufactures a catheter-based system for the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), has announced...
Europe AF
W: www.europeaf.com
AF Symposium 2019
W: www.afsymposium.com
Procedural EHRA training course on Advanced EP with focus on AF ablation
W: www.escardio.org
Case report: Mapping a complex macroreentrant atrial arrhythmia in congenital heart disease after surgical...
This article has been sponsored by Abbott
Case description
A 31 year-old female with tricuspid atresia and normally related great vessels who underwent an atriopulmonary Fontan...
Patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation after TAVI have highest risk of complications
Amit N Vora (Duke University Medical Center/the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, USA) and others report in in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions that patients who...
The rise of smartphones and wearables for AF detection: WATCH-AF and DETECT-AF pro
How to best combine optimal screening and diagnosis for atrial fibrillation (AF) has long been a challenge. At European Heart Rhythm Association Congress (EHRA;...
Cybersecurity safety communications for implantable cardiac devices: Year in review
Cyber security has become a hot topic in recent years. Leslie Saxon writes in Cardiac Rhythm News about the cybersecurity risks for implantable cardiac...
Thoracoscopic ablation and left atrial appendage excision found to be superior to catheter ablation...
Symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with previous failed catheter ablation or structural changes associated with higher recurrence of AF could benefit from thoracoscopic ablation...
Continuous homebased ECG monitoring results in a significantly higher rate of AF diagnosis
The mHealth Screening To Prevent Strokes (mSToPS) randomised clinical trial showed that home-based wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor patch monitoring, compared with delayed monitoring, resulted in...
One in five UK doctors say understaffing has affected patient safety
The annual census of UK consultants and higher speciality trainees—Focus on Physicians 2017–18—indicates that more than half of all consultants and two thirds of...
US FDA issues draft guidances for recommended premarket testing and labelling for guidewires, intravascular...
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released the following two draft guidance documents: These guidance documents provide industry and FDA staff with recommendations on...
Binge drinking affects heart rhythm
A new study has found that the more alcohol you drink, the higher your heart rate gets. These finding were presented at European Heart...
Apixaban is a safe alternative to warfarin during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and...
Apixaban and warfarin are equally safe during catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, according to results of the AXAFA-AFNET 5 (Anticoagulation using the direct factor...
REAFFIRM: An interim analysis
The interim results of the REAFFIRM (Randomised Evaluation of Atrial Fibrillation treatment with Focal Impulse and Rotor Modulation guided procedures) trial showed there was...
Octreotide enables left atrial appendage closure in AF patients with GI bleeding
Octreotide therapy has the potential to offer atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVM) related gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding another treatment option. It is...
RHYTHM study published revealing link between total AF burden and stroke risk
iRhythm Technologies has announced results of a study which utilised Zio by iRhythm, an extended continuous cardiac monitoring system, to provide a comprehensive picture...
Cardiac contractility modulation in heart failure treatment is safe
Cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) in heart failure is safe, the results from the FIX-HF-5C randomised controlled trial demonstrate, with all primary and secondary safety...
HAVOC: new score developed to identify AF patients at higher risk of stroke
The HAVOC score was developed following the CRYSTAL-AF study, to see if there was an easier way to identify which patients with atrial fibrillation...
Battery performance alert and cybersecurity firmware updates for certain Abbott implantable cardiac devices: FDA...
The US FDA has approved a firmware update that is now available and is intended as a corrective action (recall), to reduce the risk...
Socioeconomic status and geographic region affect patient access to ICDs in Asia—only 12% of...
There is a disparity between indications for and utilisation of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in Asian patients with heart failure, a recent study finds....
New guidelines promote safety for patients on antithrombotic drugs undergoing anaesthesia or pain intervention
Patient safety is the focus of newly published updates to consensus statements that address the use of antithrombotic drugs by individuals who may require...
Treating sleep apnoea in pacemaker patients improves AF therapy
This video has been sponsored by LivaNova.
Sleep apnoea is a major chronic disease that can have cardiovascular consequences. Around 40–50% of people with atrial...
Brain MRI scans can inform the choice between OACs and LAA closure for non-valvular...
M Edip Gurol is a stroke neurologist with particular expertise in the care of patients at high risk for ischaemic (blockage type) strokes and...
New analyses show that AdaptivCRT algorithm reduces AF episodes in patients
Two real-world analyses featuring the AdaptivCRT algorithm reinforce that its use is linked to a reduction in atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes, as well as...
Study finds the heart can terminate atrial fibrillation itself after local gene therapy
The heart is capable of terminating arrhythmias itself after local gene therapy, potentially avoiding the need for patients to undergo painful electric shocks, according...
Clinical trial data further demonstrate safety and effectiveness of RHYTHMIA mapping system
Data from the TRUE-HD study has been announced during a late-breaking clinical trial session at the annual congress of the European Heart Rhythm Association...
New-onset atrial fibrillation after CABG significantly increases the risk of death and stroke in...
New data from the EXCEL trial, which found that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was non-inferior to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at three years...
African Americans with atrial fibrillation at significantly higher risk of stroke
African Americans with atrial fibrillation (AF) have a significantly higher risk of stroke than Caucasians with the condition, according to new research published in HeartRhythm by...
Results of CASTLE-AF trial published: catheter ablation better than conventional drug therapy for atrial...
The results of the CASTLE-AF study, published today in the New England Journal of Medicine, show that patients treated with radiofrequency catheter ablation rather than...
FDA alert raises concerns over safety of wearable cardioverter defibrillator
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is providing information and recommendations regarding the Zoll LifeVest 4000 due to concerns that the device may...
FDA mini-sentinel assessment confirms safety and effectiveness of Xarelto (rivaroxaban) amidst lawsuit
The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson has announced findings from the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) mini-sentinel assessment, confirming the positive...
Genetic variation “contributes substantially” to AF susceptibility
A recent study by Lu-Chen Weng (Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA) et al which aimed to quantify and systematically characterise the genetic architecture of atrial...
Risk of dementia higher without oral anticoagulants for AF
A retrospective national Swedish registry study by Leif Friberg and Mårten Rosenqvist (Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden) has found that the risk of dementia is...
Heart Rhythm Society partners with WebMD on AF patient education tool
The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), in partnership with WebMD Education, has announced the launch of a free online educational tool for atrial fibrillation (AF). The new interactive AF information tool is...
Western AF Symposium
W: www.westernaf.com
Five surprising messages from this year’s Europe AF
1.
The "ILL-CONCEIVED" pallas study may be relaunched
John Camm
"I want to say just a few quick words about dronedarone", John Camm (St George's University of...
Congenital heart disease in children and young adults have 22 times higher risk of...
A study published in the Circulation journal has shown that the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) in young adults and children who suffer from...
Vivek Reddy on the final outcomes of PREVAIL and PROTECT-AF
Boston Scientific has announced the final five-year outcomes data from the PREVAIL study during a late-breaking clinical trial session at this year’s Transcatheter Cardiovascular...
Pacemakers safely reused in Mexico highlight potential of recycling CIEDs
Recycling or reusing cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) could bring down costs for low-income or uninsured patients. A small study presented at the 30th...
Measuring outcomes after catheter ablations for AF
Published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC): Clinical Electrophysiology, Björkenheim et al’s study of patient- and physician-reported outcomes of atrial...
Low-risk AF for stroke identified with CHA2DS2-VASc Score
A Korean nationwide cohort study by Tae-Hoon Kim et al has shown that truly low-risk Asian patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) for stroke can...
Have you considered this sleeping burden of atrial fibrillation (AF)?
This video has been sponsored by LivaNova.
AF is a growing epidemic affecting 33.5 million people today.1 Up to 91% of AF patients have co-morbidities.2 Among...
Analysis of LAA closure devices reveals post-approval spike in safety events
A retrospective study conducting a safety assessment and comparison between two percutaneous devices commonly used for left atrial appendage (LAA) closure in the US...
Familial screening after sudden death in young patients is effective even without autopsy
Pauline Quenin (I’institut du thorax, INSERM, CNRS, UNIV Nantes, CHU Nantes, Nantes, France) and others report in Circulation Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology that a quarter...
Beta blockers may not improve survival after heart attack
A new study has found that beta blockers are not needed after a heart attack if survivors are taking ACE inhibitors and statins. The...
Caucasians have a higher incidence of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest but risk of death...
There is a lack of sufficient data about the effect of racial differences on outcomes following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Therefore, Karuppiah Arunachalam and...
US trial to evaluate safety and efficacy of Amplatzer for patent ductus arteriosus
Abbott has initiated a US pivotal clinical study evaluating the safety and effectiveness of a modified version of its Amplatzer device to correct patent...
Repeat ablation with contact force sensing “does not necessarily guarantee a successful outcome” in...
Preliminary results from the ABLATOR observational registry have shown similar success rates (around 58%) in first time ablation and repeat ablation for persistent atrial...
ARCA completes enrolment for GENETIC-AF Phase 2B clinical trial
ARCA biopharma has announced the completion of enrolment for GENETIC-AF. This Phase 2B, double-blind, superiority clinical trial is evaluating bucindolol hydrochloride (Gencaro) as a...
The Heart Rhythm Society announces grant recipients of the 2017 AFib Screening and Education...
The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) has announced eight US facilities to be awarded funding to support the development of the 2017 AFib Screening and...
Cardiac Insight releases Cardea Solo wearable cardiac monitor for diagnosing AF following cardiac ablation
Cardiac Insight, a US developer of wearable medical devices and diagnostic software, has announced that its US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Cardea Solo...
Final Phase III results support safety of idarucizumab as reversal agent for dabigatran etexilate...
Final results from RE-VERSE AD study show that idarucizumab, marketed in the US as Praxbind (Boehringer Ingelheim), was able to immediately reverse the anticoagulant...
First patients enrolled in Medtronic’s STOP AF First cryoballoon clinical trial
The first participants have been enrolled in Medtronic’s STOP AF First clinical trial. The trial will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of performing pulmonary...
Snake venom might provide safer antiplatelet drug
Researchers have designed a safer antiplatelet drug based on a snake venom, according to new research in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology.
Scientists from the...
How safe is it to implant insertable cardiac monitors outside hospital operating rooms?
Writing for Cardiac Rhythm News, Jan Steffel (Zurich, Switzerland) reviews current data and practice regarding safety of insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) implantation in office...
Four out of 10 AF patients may not receive necessary stroke-prevention medication
Many patients with an irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, are not receiving recommended blood thinning medication they need to prevent strokes, according to...
AF Symposium
W: www.afsymposium.com
Europe AF—10th Annual Conference
W: www.europeaf.com
Rate of early death after ventricular tachycardia ablation as high as 5%
Early post-procedural mortality occurred in 5% of cases of radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with scar-related ventricular tachycardia (VT), with more than half of...
Surgical left atrial appendage occlusion reduces thromboembolic stroke and mortality in older AF patients
Surgical left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is associated with a reduction of thromboembolism and all-cause mortality among older atrial fibrillation (AF) patients undergoing cardiac...
Janssen and Premier to initiate stroke risk management study among AF patients
Janssen Pharmaceuticals has collaborated with Premier on the first and largest study of its kind to address an unmet medical need for hospitalised patients...
First patient enrolled in Daiichi Sankyo’s ELIMINATE-AF edoxaban study
The first patient has been enrolled into Daiichi Sankyo’s ELIMINATE-AF study. The multinational, randomised phase 3b study will explore the safety and efficacy of...
Cardiac lead extractions safer in high volume centres
Cardiac lead extraction is safer in high volume centres, according to the largest study of contemporary practice in Europe, published in European Heart Journal....
Daiichi Sankyo begins ENTRUST-AF PCI study of once-daily edoxaban
The first patient has been enrolled into Daiichi Sankyo’s ENTRUST-AF PCI study. The multinational, randomised phase 3b study will evaluate a treatment regimen based...
AF ablation associated with phrenic nerve injury: Is this complication now in our rear...
Phrenic nerve injury is a well-established complication of all types of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation and is most common with balloon-based approaches, writes Hugh...
Advancements in Persistent AF Ablation: New Clinical Evidence and Techniques
This webinar has been sponsored by Medtronic.
Watch the recent webinar on persistent Atrial Fibrillation (AF) ablation with Prof. Schilling (St. Barts, London), Prof. de...
AF Symposium 2017: First-in-man study shows promising results with a multi-electrode radiofrequency balloon for...
Results of AF-FICIENT, the first-in-man study which seeks to evaluate the safety and performance of the new Apama radiofrequency (RF) balloon catheter system (Apama...
AF Symposium 2017: Use of intracardiac echocardiography is a “viable option” for Amplatzer Amulet...
Intracardiac echocardiograpy (ICE) facilitates a high success implant rate of the Amplatzer Amulet left atrial appendage (LAA) occluder (St Jude Medical/Abbott) as well as...
Discover the latest evidence and ablation techniques for persistent AF treatment
Join atrial fibrillation (AF) experts Prof Richard Schilling (St Barts Hospital, London UK), Prof Carlo de Asmundis (Universitair Ziekenhuis, Brussels, Belgium) and PD Dr...
AF Symposium
www.afsymposium.com
Trudie Lobban discusses “Detect – Protect – Correct” campaign for AF awareness
With the aim to help tackling the limitations of detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) across the globe with a simple pulse check and to raise...
First-in-human data demonstrate safety and efficacy of new lead for temporary cardiac pacing
A first-in-human study has shown that a new temporary lead for cardiac pacing (Tempo Lead, BioTrace Medical) is safe and effective for use in...
First patient procedure completed in UNCOVER-AF study
Acutus Medical has announced the completion of the first patient procedure in the UNCOVER-AF (Utilising novel dipole density capabilities to objectively visualise the etiology...
ESC 2016: Edoxaban is safe and effective in AF patients undergoing electrical cardioversion
ENSURE-AF, the largest prospective, randomised clinical trial to date of anticoagulation for electrical cardioversion in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, has shown that edoxaban is an...
Daiichi Sankyo PREFER in AF registry suggests increased stroke risk among diabetic atrial fibrillation...
Daiichi Sankyo has announced data from new sub-analyses of the Prevention of thromboembolic events—European Registry in Atrial Fibrillation (PREFER in AF) patient registry, which...
Results of phase 3b ENSURE-AF study investigating edoxaban in AF patients undergoing cardioversion to...
Daiichi Sankyo has announced it will present the first results from ENSURE-AF, the largest prospective randomised clinical trial to date evaluating a non-vitamin K...
Thrombosis Research Institute to announce new real-world GARFIELD-AF registry insights in atrial fibrillation at...
New analyses from the Global Anticoagulant Registry in the Field-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) will be presented at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress (27‒31...
Arca Biopharma announces 100th patient randomised into the GENETIC-AF phase 2b/3 clinical trial
ARCA Biopharma has announced that the 100th patient has been randomised into GENETIC-AF, a seamless design phase 2B/3 clinical trial evaluating Gencaro (bucindolol hydrochloride)...
US FDA releases draft guidance on real-world evidence and medical device regulation decisions
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a draft guidance document entitled “Use of Real-World Evidence to Support Regulatory Decision-Making for Medical...
Sudden cardiac death is the most common cause of death in atrial fibrillation patients,...
An analysis from the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial has found that sudden cardiac death was the single most common cause of death and accounted...
Ablation of frequent premature ventricular complex allows safe withholding of ICD implant
Patients with frequent premature ventricular complex and primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) indication who undergo ablation may be able to avoid ICD implant,...
Medical devices available in the EU before the USA are at higher risk for...
A cohort study has found that medical devices approved first in the European Union (EU) are associated with a greater rate of post-marketing safety...
AF patients with intermediate-to-high-risk of stroke often prescribed aspirin instead of anticoagulants
More than one-in-three patients with atrial fibrillation with an intermediate-to-high-risk of stroke are prescribed aspirin instead of oral anticoagulants, despite guidelines recommending the use...
Over a quarter of a million UK AF patients receiving inadequate stroke prevention treatment
Over 260,000 people with atrial fibrillation (AF) in the UK are receiving either no preventative treatment, or are still taking only aspirin, no longer...
Micra safety benefits sustained beyond six months
New results from the Medtronic Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS) global clinical trial have been presented in a late-breaking trial session at CARDIOSTIM /...
Karl-Heinz Kuck steps down from the ESC and EHRA after fraud conviction
Karl-Heinz Kuck (Department of Cardiology, Asklepios Klinik St. Georg, Hamburg, Germany) has withdrawn his candidacy for president-elect of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and...
Afibmatters.org now in Swedish and Portuguese
The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) is launching the patient- and caregiver-oriented website afibmatters.org in Swedish and Portuguese.
Afibmatters.org aims to contribute to improvements in...
“Ghosts” after transvenous lead extraction may significantly increase risk of death
Maria Lucia Narducci (Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy) and others report in Europace that the presence of residual...
Cryoballoon ablation for AF may be economically favourable compared with focal radiofrequency ablation
A subsequent study of the Value PVI (pulmonary vein isolation) study report several economic benefits, including reduced staff overtime and more time remaining for...
Europe AF
W: www.europeaf.com
EFFORTLESS long-term study confirms safety and efficacy of Boston Scientific Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator
Data collected from the EFFORTLESS study were presented as a late-breaking clinical trial at the 37th Annual Scientific Sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) in San Francisco, USA.
New data support safety and performance of Medtronic Micra system
Medtronic has announced clinical results highlighting the safety and performance profile of the miniaturised Micra transcatheter pacing system (TPS) at the 2016 Heart Rhythm Society meeting.
Seventy-fifth patient enrolled in GENETIC-AF bucindolol trial
The 75th patient has been enrolled in GENETIC-AF, a phase 2B/3 clinical trial evaluating bucindolol (Gencaro, Arca Biopharma) as a potential treatment for atrial fibrillation.
Intravenous vernakalant superior to ibutilide in recent on-set AF patients
Researchers in Austria have found shorter time to sinus rhythm in patients with recent-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with intravenous vernakalant (Brinavess, Cardiome Pharma) compared with ibutilide treatment.
Arca Biopharma announces update on GENETIC-AF trial
Arca Biopharma has announced the GENETIC-AF trial, which will evaluate bucindolol (Gencaro) as a potential treatment for atrial fibrillation.
New bidirectional mechanical lead extraction device is safe and efficient with high success rates...
A new bidirectional rotational mechanical lead extraction sheath is both safe and effective in performing lead extraction, according to a study published online ahead-of-print in Europace. Clinical success for the leads extracted using this novel sheath was 98.1% with no mortality or major complications.
How innovation can unleash tremendous growth in the $3.4 billion AF ablation market
Shlomo Ben-Haim (London, UK), a professor of medicine and serial entrepreneur in the medical device industry, examines the drivers of expansion of the atrial...
American Heart Association warns that African Americans and Hispanics face greater heart failure risk
Studies have shown that heart failure affects African American individuals with roughly twice the incidence of that of Caucasians. The Hispanic population has the second-highest risk of developing heart failure in the USA.
FDA Panel provides recommendations on adverse events, long-term safety and postmarket surveillance of leadless...
The FDA's Circulatory System Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory has made recommendations for leadless pacemakers regarding adverse events, long-term safety issues (including battery longevity), necessary elements for postmarket surveillance, indications for use and labelling, and implanting physicians' training.
Left atrial appendage isolation with cryoballoon may work as an adjunctive strategy for persistent...
Researchers in Turkey have found that additional left atrial appendage (LAA) isolation using second generation cryoballoon technology is feasible and safe and that it may be considered as an adjunctive therapy to pulmonary vein isolation for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment.
Arca enrols 50th patient in GENETIC-AF atrial fibrillation prevention trial
This trial evaluates bucindolol hydrochloride (Gencaro) as a potential genetically-targeted treatment for the prevention of atrial fibrillation.
Insertable cardiac monitors may help decide safe discontinuation of oral anticoagulation in AF patients...
A strategy including insertable cardiac monitors (ICM) to guide rhythm control with antiarrhythmic drugs and assessment of AF burden may allow safe discontinuation of oral anticoagulation in AF patients at high risk of bleeding.
Micra TPS meets global clinical trial safety and effectiveness endpoints
The transcatheter pacing system from Medtronic is the smallest pacemaker on the market.
Are energy drinks safe enough for the heart?
Despite the lack of randomised trials on energy drinks consumption, few case reports on atrial and ventricular arrhythmias as well as on myocardial ischaemia...
Benefits of autonomic regulation therapy for heart failure are maintained after 12 months, ENCORE...
Data show that autonomic regulation therapy in patients with moderate to severe chronic heart failure and impaired heart function is well tolerated, safe, improves the heart's ability to pump blood, and reduces the frequency and severity of symptoms associated with chronic heart failure.
Novel oral anticoagulants require improved safety data to challenge warfarin
More real-world safety data could potentially address the issue of under-dosing and under-treatment with novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in global practice, says an analyst with research and consulting firm GlobalData.
European Medicines Agency recommends dabigatran antidote after accelerated assessment
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended granting a marketing authorisation, following accelerated assessment, for idarucizumab (Praxbind) as a specific antidote to dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa).
First patient enrolled in study of Eliquis (apixaban) in NVAF patients with recent acute...
This two-by-two factorial, randomised controlled trial will evaluate the safety of Eliquis versus warfarin or other vitamin K antagonists (VKA) in patients with NVAF and a recent acute coronary syndrome or undergoing PCI.
Electrical left atrial appendage isolation helps to improve freedom from long-standing persistent AF
A randomised, multicentre study has found improvement in the long-term freedom from long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients who underwent an ablation plus empirical electrical left atrial appendage isolation strategy. No major complications were reported.
Data from five US real-world trials comparing apixaban with other oral anticoagulants in NVAF...
The studies compared the risk of different bleeding related outcomes, including major bleeding and/or any bleeding, hospitalisation and bleeding-related 30-day readmissions in routine clinical practice setting for apixaban versus warfarin, rivaroxaban and dabigatran.
Global registry presents two-year outcomes data in more than 17,000 newly-diagnosed AF patients
These two-year prospective outcomes from cohorts 1 and 2 show a mortality rate of 3.83% per person year compared to stroke rates of 1.25% per person year and major bleeding rates of 0.7% per person year.
LEADLESS II shows positive safety and efficacy outcomes with Nanostim
Primary results from the LEADLESS II study have shown positive efficacy and safety outcomes with the Nanostim leadless pacemaker (St Jude Medical) for patients who require a single-chamber ventricular pacemaker.
GARFIELD-AF Registry data to be featured at ESC Congress 2015
A satellite symposium and four GARFIELD-AF presentations will demonstrate how antithrombotic treatment patterns are evolving in the real-world and the impact on clinical outcomes in newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation patients.
Biotronik begins first study to assess relevance of defibrillator back-up after CRT-D replacement
BioCONTINUE is the first study to investigate the relevance of defibrillator back-up following first device replacement in a heart failure patient population with a primary indication for a cardiac resynchronisation therapy defibrillator (CRT-D).
LuxCath LLC awarded US patent for real-time lesion visualisation technology for AF ablation
The LuxCath LLC system determines electrode-tissue contact as well as monitors lesion progression during ablation and provides real-time lesion visualisation without pressure sensors or ultrasound.
Safety, accuracy and validation of medical smartphone applications
The use of mobile smartphones and tablets that run applications (apps) to function as clinical examination tools, reference databases, technique guides, or medical calculators...
More than half of breast cancer patients develop diastolic dysfunction after anthracycline-based chemotherapy
A new study reports that within 12 months of completing anthracycline treatment, 57% of breast cancer patients had changes on their echocardiograms consistent with diastolic dysfunction.
Invisible impact: The risk of ionising radiation on cath lab staff
This video from the Organization for Occupational Radiation Safety in Interventional Fluoroscopy (ORSIF) tells the story of one of the world’s most prominent cardiovascular surgeons, Edward...
Less than 10% of eligible older patients receive an ICD after a myocardial infarction
Sean D Pokorney (Durham, USA) and others report in JAMA that only 8.1% of older patients who are eligible to receive an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) after a myocardial infarction actually do so. The authors also found that older age did not appear to affect the mortality benefit that is associated with ICD implantation.
Medtronic Micra transcatheter pacemaker meets initial safety and performance measures
The data from a global clinical trial involving the miniaturised device were presented at a late-breaking clinical trials session at EHRA EUROPACE-CARDIOSTIM 2015 (21-24 June, Milan, Italy).
Advanced technologies to improve efficacy and safety of AF ablation
Technologies to image lesion creation in real time are required to improve the efficacy as well as the safety of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation....
Benefit of anticoagulation in AF patients with a low risk of stroke questioned
The results from a retrospective study, based on a large dataset (over 140,000 patients), have cast doubt on the benefit of routine oral anticoagulants for patients with atrial fibrillation and low risk of stroke.
New data show safety and efficacy of specifically designed implantable cardioverter defibrillators for MRI...
Early performance results of the first-in-human international study of Medtronic's Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS) have demonstrated the device is safe and effective.
Cryoballoon ablation is not as safe as radiofrequency but is as effective
Armin Luik presented findings at HRS 2015 indicating that cryoballoon ablation is a faster as effective as radiofrequency ablation for pulmonary vein isolation in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients, but has a greater complication rate and requires higher X-ray dosages.
Safety and efficacy of Transcatheter Pacing System demonstrated in initial study
Early performance results of the first-in-human international study of Medtronic's Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS) have demonstrated the device is safe and effective.
Botox reduces AF burden for up to a year after cardiac surgery
Botulinum toxin injected into epicardial fat pads during coronary artery bypass graft surgery reduced the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation compared with placebo, with substantial suppression persisting after one year, a pilot study has found.
Activity after ICD implantation may predict survival
In the largest study on the relationship between activity and survival in ICD patients, researchers analysed how active participants were in the first 30-60 days after implantation and then over time up to four years.
Global trial finds Medtronic Micra transcatheter pacemaker meets initial safety measures in wide range...
All of the first 140 patients in the trial were successfully implanted with the Micra TPS. The data were presented at Heart Rhythm 2015 (13-16 May, Boston, USA).
HeartLight US pivotal study meets primary efficacy and safety endpoints
The trial, which randomised CardioFocus' HeartLight one-to-one versus the Biosense Webster Thermocool catheter, met both primary efficacy and safety endpoints and demonstrated a low learning curve for physicians.
Targeting the left atrial appendage for AF-related stroke prevention: Why the heart team is...
Sacha Salzberg cardiovascular surgeon (Heart Clinic Hirslanden, Cardiac Surgery Unit, Zurich, Switzerland) comments on catheter-based and surgical approaches for left atrial appendage occlusion as...
No additional shocks or hospitalisations: Study shows home exercise safe after ICD
The results of a prospective, randomised trial demonstrate that moderately strenuous aerobic exercise, performed at home, for a select group of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) recipients was highly beneficial at improving cardiovascular performance. Importantly, the exercise did not compromise safety.
Long-term data show safety and efficacy of Boston Scientific’s S-ICD System
The S-ICD System was shown to convert more than 98% of heart arrhythmias that can lead to sudden death. These data are comparable to efficacy outcomes found in transvenous ICD (TV-ICD) clinical trials (95-99%).
Edoxaban approved for prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in non-valvular AF and treatment...
Daiichi Sankyo has announced that Swissmedic, the regulatory authority of Switzerland, has granted approval of Lixiana (edoxaban), an oral, once-daily selective factor Xa inhibitor, for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and treatment of venous thromboembolism in deep vein thrombosis.
First patient enrolled in the GOLD AF registry of Medtronic’s PVAC Gold ablation catheter
Medtronic has announced the first patient enrolment in the GOLD AF registry, a first-of-its-kind, prospective, observational clinical study of its Phased Radiofrequency (RF) Ablation technology for treating patients with symptomatic atrial fibrillation.
Gender, age and mood disorders affect how patients perceive atrial fibrillation symptoms
First-of-its-kind study published in HeartRhythm assesses various factors that lead to inaccurate detection of the frequency and duration of atrial fibrillation episodes.
Long-term sustained weight loss associated with significant reduction in AF burden
The first study investigating the long-term effects of weight loss and the degree of weight fluctuation on atrial fibrillation (AF) burden has found that obese patients with this arrhythmia who lost at least 10% of their body weight were six times more likely to achieve long-term freedom from atrial fibrillation.
Arca biopharma provides GENETIC-AF clinical trial update
The GENETIC-AF phase 2B/3 clinical trial is evaluating Gencaro (bucindolol hydrochloride) as a potential treatment for atrial fibrillation.
Data shows ProMRI pacemakers to be safe and effective in full-body MRIs
William M Bailey, medical director of Louisiana Heart Rhythm Specialists in Lafayette, discussed new clinical data at the American College of Cardiology's 64th Annual Scientific Sessions in San Diego.
Updated US guidelines suggest an increase by 19% in AF patients recommended for oral...
Two-thirds of patients who were not previously recommended for oral anticoagulation therapy are now recommended, according to an assessment of the 2014 AHA, ACC and HRS atrial fibrillation guidelines.
Spinal cord stimulation in severe heart failure patients is safe and can potentially improve...
Results of a prospective, multicentre pilot trial of severe heart failure patients treated with continuous spinal cord stimulation have shown the treatment is safe and feasible with the Eon Mini neurostimulation device (St Jude Medical) and can potentially improve symptoms, functional capacity and cardiac function.
Subcutaneous-ICD patients may be able to undergo MRI scans at 1.5T safely
Subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patients may be safe to be exposed to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures at 1.5T with a pre-specified scanning and monitoring protocol.
ProMRI studies confirm safety of MR imaging with Biotronik devices
Studies validate safety of Biotronik ProMRI devices in patients subjected to head and lower lumbar 1.5T MRI scans.
Real-world multicentre study shows positive outcomes with left atrial appendage occlusion for stroke prevention...
The largest study using the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (St Jude Medical) for left atrial appendage occlusion has shown a high procedural success rate and favourable outcomes for prevention of atrial fibrillation-related thromboembolism.
ENSURE-AF: Largest trial ever to explore novel oral anticoagulation in AF patients undergoing cardioversion
Results of the X-VERT trial, presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting (ESC; 30 August–3 September, Barcelona, Spain), showed that rivaroxaban (Bayer/Janssen Pharmaceuticals)...
Hansen Medical announces expanded protocol for the ARTISAN-AF IDE study
The amended protocol now includes the use of the Thermocool SmartTouch catheter (BioSense Webster) and the EnSite Velocity Cardiac Mapping System (St Jude Medical) in combination with the Sensei Robotic System (Hansen Medical) for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Bridging during anticoagulation interruption associated with higher bleeding risk in AF patients
A subanalysis from the ORBIT-AF registry has found that atrial fibrillation patients who receive bridging anticoagulation therapy during anticoagulation interruption are at higher risk of bleeding and adverse events following interruption than patients who do not receive bridging anticoagulation.
Get With The Guidelines-AFIB: A US quality improvement programme for atrial fibrillation patients
Guideline adherence to anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation seems to be more difficult compared to other quality measures in cardiology practice. William Lewis (chair of...
Non-invasive identification of drivers in persistent AF
In paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, pulmonary vein isolation is successful while the results in persistent atrial fibrillation are less satisfactory because of ill-defined atrial substrate...
Long-term overtreatment with antiplatelet/anticoagulant therapy may increase the risk of dementia in AF patients
Atrial fibrillation patients who are receiving a combination of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy and are over treated with warfarin may be at an increased risk of dementia, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions (AHA;15-19 November, Chicago, USA).
Studies show Medtronic CRT devices reduce readmissions after heart failure hospitalisations
New data from Medtronic show that its cardiac resynchronisation therapy devices for the treatment of heart failure can cause a significant reduction in all-cause 30-day readmissions after heart failure hospitalisations.
Biosense Webster and StopAfib.org work to raise awareness of AFIB
Biosense Webster has partnered with advocacy organisation StopAfib.org to encourage Americans to "Get SMART About Afib."
Vitamin D deficiency increases poor brain function after cardiac arrest
Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of poor brain function after sudden cardiac arrest by seven-fold, according to research presented at Acute Cardiovascular Care 2014 by Jin Wi.
Rivaroxaban may be a safe alternative to standard of care in AF patients undergoing...
Results from the X-VERT trial have shown that rivaroxaban is a safe and effective alternative to Vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation who are undergoing elective cardioversion.
Antithrombotic therapy after left atrial appendage closure
Uncertainty exists about the optimal post-interventional antithrombotic drug regimen as well as treatment duration after left atrial appendage closure; Boris Schmidt and KR Julian...
Permanent AF doubles risk of stroke compared to paroxysmal AF
Permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) doubles the risk of stroke compared to paroxysmal AF, according to research in more than 6,000 patients presented at European Society of Cardiology Congress. The findings suggest that a simple clinical assessment of the type of AF can help doctors to better estimate stroke risk.
SMART-AF trial shows AF ablation with contact force sensing catheter is safe and effective
Results from the SMART-AF trial, recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, have shown that the ThermoCool SmartTouch contact force-sensing catheter is safe and effective for the treatment of drug-refractory symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Joint consensus on antithrombotic use in AF patients with acute coronary syndrome published
A new European joint consensus document on the use of antithrombotic drugs in patients with atrial fibrillation presenting with an acute coronary syndrome and undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention has been published in the European Heart Journal.
Study finds Medtronic insertable cardiac monitors detect AF in stroke patients better than standard...
The CRYSTAL AF trial found that continuous cardiac monitoring with the Reveal XT insertable cardiac monitor was superior to standard care at detecting atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients who have had strokes of undetermined causes.
ANSWER study shows SafeR algorithm reduces right ventricular pacing and improves clinical outcomes in...
The ANSWER study evaluated whether the minimisation of Vp using the SafeR algorithm improves clinical outcomes for dual-chamber pacemaker patients implanted for sinus node disease or for atrio-ventricular block.
New study of Pradaxa to explore anticoagulation in ablation of AF patients
The RE-CIRCUIT study will investigate the safety and efficacy of uninterrupted anticoagulant treatment with Pradaxa in patients with atrial fibrillation who undergo ablation. Results of the study are expected in 2016.
CRT-D devices with AdaptivCRT associated with reduction of costs of AF
New data from the Medtronic Adaptive CRT trial show a 61% (p=0.01) lower risk of atrial fibrillation (AF)-related problems in patients who receive a cardiac resynchronisation therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) with the Medtronic-exclusive AdaptivCRT algorithm compared to conventional biventricular pacing therapy.
NICE no longer recommends aspirin alone for reducing risk of stroke in AF patients
Updated National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines no longer recommend aspirin use alone, solely to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
Population-based study confirms radiofrequency catheter ablation as safe and effective in paediatric patients
A new population-based study confirms previous study reports that radiofrequency catheter ablation is a safe method of arrhythmia treatment in children with long-term cumulative efficacy exceeding 90%, and a highly significant decrease in the procedure and fluoroscopy time during the study period.
New data show that defibrillators programmed to wait longer to deliver therapy are safe...
Medtronic has announced the results from the first prospective randomised clinical trial to show that Medtronic implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) can safely extend detection times before triggering therapy in secondary prevention patients.
Cryoballoon faster and more effective than conventional radiofrequency ablation for paroxysmal AF
A randomised controlled trial comparing three methods of pulmonary vein isolation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation has revealed that procedures were faster and more effective with Medtronic's Arctic Front cryoballoon than wide encirclement using conventional point-by-point radiofrequency ablation. Procedures using the cryoballoon also resulted in a higher single procedure success rate.
Aggressive lifestyle management helps improve success rate after AF ablation
Researchers in Australia have found that aggressive management of cardiovascular risk factors and weight can dramatically impact the long-term success rate of freedom from atrial fibrillation following ablation.
Defibrillation testing: Safe but not necessary
Results from the SIMPLE study show that despite the fact that defibrillation threshold testing at the time of device implantation is generally safe, it does not improve implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shock efficacy or reduce mortality compared to a no-testing strategy.
Gilead announces results from phase 2 study showing reduction in AF burden with the...
Data presented at the Heart Rhythm Society Annual Meeting support plans for phase 3 development of a fixed-dose combination of ranolazine and low-dose dronedarone in atrial fibrillation patients.
TOCCASTAR trial meets primary safety and efficacy endpoints at Heart Rhythm 2014
Results from the first prospective, randomised study of contact-force ablation technology for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation met primary endpoints and supplement the growing body of evidence that supports the safety and effectiveness of contact-force ablation technology.
Mechanical transvenous extraction of ICD leads with a multiple venous entry-site approach is safe...
Physicians reporting 15 years of experience in extracting implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) leads with a mechanical single-sheath technique and a multiple venous entry-site approach say they have found it is a complex but safe procedure, with a 99% success rate and no major complications.
AliveCor announces results of SEARCH-AF trial
The SEARCH-AF study conducted in Australia screened 1,000 patients over 65 years old for an abnormal heart rhythm, atrial fibrillation, in 10 community pharmacies in suburban Sydney, Australia. The AliveCor heart monitor was used to capture 30-60 second electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings and wirelessly transmit the recordings to study cardiologists.
Daiichi Sankyo extends the PREFER in AF patient registry
The extension of the registry will include a specific focus on the use of novel oral anticoagulant therapy including prescribing patterns, providing new insight into the long-term management of patients with atrial fibrillation.
New data illustrate long-term safety and effectiveness of Boston Scientific S-ICD system
The interim analysis of the ongoing EFFORTLESS S-ICD registry, which evaluated 456 patients with a mean follow-up of 558 days, is the first real-world study to date and confirms the clinical benefits of the S-ICD System in a broad range of patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
Daiichi Sankyo initiates phase 3 ENSURE-AF study
The first patient has been enrolled in the largest planned phase 3 study evaluating novel oral anticoagulant edoxaban in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients undergoing electrical cardioversion.
New onset atrial fibrillation after TAVI does not increase rate of stroke or mortality
A new study has found that new onset atrial fibrillation after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) does not increase significantly the rate of stroke or mortality at 30-days and one-year follow-up.
10,000 patients with atrial fibrillation now enrolled in GLORIA-AF registry
The GLORIA-AF registry is expected to provide meaningful knowledge on the global role and use of antithrombotic treatments in protecting patients with atrial fibrillation from the devastating effects of stroke.
CRYSTAL AF update
Richard Bernstein, professor of neurology in the Davee Department of Neurology at Northwestern University, director of the Stroke Program at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in...
NICE consults on draft updated recommendations on implantable devices for the treatment of life-threatening...
The draft guidance from the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) defines which implantable cardiac devices are clinically and cost effective options for people with life-threatening arrhythmias or heart failure.
Biotronik now supplies US Department of Veterans Affairs
Biotronik has announced that its devices and leads, including the latest DX system technology, has been added to the list of cardiac rhythm management device suppliers to the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
VICTORY AF trial for persistent or long-standing atrial fibrillation starts enrolment
The study will evaluate the safety of the Phased Radiofrequency system (Medtronic) for the treatment o patients with persistent or long-standing atrial fibrillation.
FDA issues safety communication on HeartStart automated external defibrillators
Certain HeartStart automated external defibrillator (AED) devices made by Philips Healthcare may be unable to deliver needed defibrillator shock in a cardiac emergency situation, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced.
Phase IIb study of vanoxerine shows strong safety efficacy signals for treatment of atrial...
ChanRx has announced positive safety and statistically significant efficacy data from a phase IIb study of vanoxerine (GBR-12909), a drug in development for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The data were presented yesterday at the American Heart Association 2013 Scientific Sessions (16-20 November, Dallas, USA).
AFNET-EAST trial enrols 1,000 patients
On 4 November the 1,000th patient was enrolled in the AFNET-EAST trial. The pan-European clinical trial compares two different treatment strategies in atrial fibrillation EAST trial compares early rhythm control therapy to usual care.
New efficacy and safety data for dabigatran to be announced at American Heart Association’s...
Boehringer Ingelheim has announced the upcoming presentation of the latest efficacy and safety data for the novel oral anticoagulant dabigatran etexilate (Pradaxa) at the 2013 American Heart Association's (AHA) Scientific Sessions (16-20 November, Dallas, USA).
2010 ESC guidelines on atrial fibrillation followed by seven European countries, PREFER in AF...
The guideline-recommended use of oral anticoagulation has increased compared to previous registries, as well as the use of antiarrhythmic drugs and catheter ablation procedures. Data have recently been published in Europace
Latin American health policies adversely affect treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in the continent
Public health expenditure in Latin America is directed mainly to tackle diseases and social problems that kill the young population but not to treat cardiac diseases (including arrhythmias), which mainly affect older people, writes Diego Vanegas, Bogota, Colombia
Vernakalant intravenous achieves better conversion to normal sinus rhythm than propafenone and flecainide in...
Patients treated with vernakalant achieved conversion to normal sinus rhythm in a median time of 12 minutes compared to 151 minutes for the propafenone group and 162 minutes for the flecainide group (p<0.01), according to results published in the Journal of Atrial Fibrillation.
HAS-BLED score more accurate than stroke scores at predicting major bleeding in anticoagulated AF...
A new study has identified that, in anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the HAS-BLED score has better prediction accuracy for major bleeding than the CHADS2 or CHA2DS2-VASc scores.
Stroke or systemic embolism uncommon in AF patients treated with apixaban within 30 days...
Results of a post-hoc subanalysis from the phase III ARISTOTLE trial have shown that stroke or systemic embolism and major bleeding were uncommon within 30 days in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients who undertook a medical procedure.
New trial shows subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator is safe and effective
A new trial has found that the subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD System, Cameron Health/Boston Scientific) is safe and effective at detecting and treating both induced and spontaneous ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation in a broad range of patients requiring implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs).
First patients enrolled in new study design of ARTISAN-AF trial for the treatment of...
ARTISAN-AF study is a pivotal clinical trial evaluating the use of Hansen Medical's Artisan family of control catheters with its Sensei X Robotic Catheter System for treatment of atrial fibrillation.
Physicians should counsel patients about sex life after cardiac event
Healthcare professionals are urged to counsel heart and stroke patients on how to resume a healthy sex life, according to a joint statement published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation and the European Heart Journal.
How to extract leads safely―Techniques, tools and principles
Brigitte Osswald
With more than 750,000 new pacemaker implantations and 250,000 first implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantations performed worldwide, the relevance of lead extraction strategies...
RELY-ABLE results support long-term safety of dabigatran in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients
Results from the RELY-ABLE trial, a long-term extension of the pivotal RE-LY study of dabigatran (Pradaxa / Boehringer Ingelheim) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, have provided additional information showing long-term safety of dabigatran.
FDA conditionally approves new study design for the Artisan family of control catheters with...
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given conditional approval to Hansen Medical to change the company's study design of its ARTISAN-AF trial.
Leading physicians launch avert-AF initiative to develop drug treatment for atrial fibrillation
Cardiovascular scientists from the University of Michigan, USA, and St George's University of London, UK, announced the launch of avert-AF, a new initiative aimed at developing drug treatments for the prevention of the more advanced forms of atrial fibrillation.
EFFICAS I study yields new contact force guidelines in catheter ablation treatment of AF
Results from the EFFICAS I, a prospective multicentre study sponsored by Endosense, have led to the development of guidelines for target and minimum contact force, as well as minimum force time integral, during the catheter ablation treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
PREVAIL shows Watchman device is safe; efficacy is still under discussion
Preliminary results of the PREVAIL trial have demonstrated the Watchman device (Boston Scientific / Atritech) is a safe alternative to oral anticoagulation therapy for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients. However, there are now questions towards Watchman's efficacy.
Ventricular arrhythmia episodes may decrease after renal denervation in resistant hypertensive patients
A small study presented at ACC 2013 has shown that renal denervation, besides reducing resistant hypertension, produces a favourable effect on atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.
Magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 Tesla is safe in patients implanted with the Advisa...
According to study results of the Advisa MRI System clinical study, the system, recently approved by the FDA, allows magnetic resonance imaging access without compromising positioning restrictions, including the cardiac region.
Long-term results of PROTECT AF confirm left atrial appendage closure is non-inferior to warfarin
Vivek Y Reddy, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA, and others recently reported the updated results ahead of print in Circulation.
Heart Rhythm Society and Association of Black Cardiologists launch 10-City Arrest the Risk campaign...
The Heart Rhythm Society and the Association of Black Cardiologists are working in conjunction to help reduce the incidence of sudden cardiac arrest among African Americans through a new campaign titled 10-City Arrest the Risk.
Update on GENETIC-AF trial for Gencaro in Atrial Fibrillation
GENETIC-AF is projected to be a 620-patient, phase 3 study comparing Gencaro (ARCA biopharma) to metoprolol CR/XL for prevention of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction.
Faster lower pacing rate after atrioventricular node ablation may help to decrease sudden death...
Faster lower pacing rate immediately after atrioventricular node ablation with a gradual decrease helps to improve clinical outcome and may reduce the risk of sudden death in patients with atrial fibrillation, Ru-Xing Wang and other reported in Heart Rhythm ahead of print.
Clinical trial finds CorMatrix ECM technology does not increase incidence of postoperative cardiac tamponade...
Study data suggest it is safe to use CorMatrix ECM technology to close the pericardium of first-time coronary artery bypass graft patients.
First patient treated in trial to evaluate the safety and performance of the Blazer...
The ZERO AF study will include up to 33 sites in the USA, Europe and Asia-Pacific, and the results will be used to support a FDA submission for a paroxysmal AF indication.
Philips showcases advanced imaging integration in electrophysiology at Boston AF Symposium
Philips provides a novel approach to real-time 3D imaging with improved workflow and collaborates with Biosense Webster to provide enhanced anatomical detail in the Biosense Carto 3 mapping system.
FDA approves apixaban to reduce the risk of stroke in AF patients
On 28 December 2012, the FDA approved the anticlotting drug apixaban (Eliquis, Bristol-Myers Squibb), an oral tablet used to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
Minimally invasive hybrid ablation is safe and effective for treatment for atrial fibrillation patients
One year after treatment completion, 80% of patients in normal sinus rhythm without administration of drugs, study says.
Dabigatran may be associated with better patient outcomes after a major bleeding event compared...
Findings from the RE-LY trial and four other phase III trials report outcomes after a major bleed on dabigatran, despite the lack of a specific reversal agent, may be better than after a warfarin-associated bleed.
First 34 US patients implanted with Evia HF-T pacemaker after FDA approval
Evia HF-T offers Biotronik's Closed Loop Stimulation (CLS) technology. The company states that this is "the only rate response algorithm that is FDA-approved to respond to exercise and acute mental stress on a beat-to-beat basis."
Catheter ablation can be performed safely while a patient is on uninterrupted warfarin
Stephen Page and Richard Schilling, St Bartholomew's Hospital, UK, explain why catheter ablation can be performed safely in most patients with uninterrupted warfarin.
New HeartLight data reinforce single procedure chronic success rates in the treatment of AF
Results presented at the ESC congress showed that pulmonary vein isolation with the device led to a 99% acute success rate and up to an 82% chronic success rate at 12 months follow-up.
New AF update calls for greater focus on identifying “truly low risk” patients
In a focused update of its 2010 guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) "strongly recommends" a practice shift towards initial identification of patients at "truly low risk" of stroke. Gregory YH Lip, Birmingham, UK, presented the update.
Female gender increases stroke risk in older AF patients by 20%
According to a study presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), 25-29 August, Munich, Germany, being female increases the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation who are >75 years by 20%