Atrial Fibrillation

This channel includes news and new technology innovations for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, also referred to as AF or afib. AF is a cardiac arrhythmia caused by irregular and often rapid heart rate. It is caused by the upper chambers (the atria) beating irregularly and uncoordinated with the lower ventricle chambers of of the heart. Symptoms include weakness with heart palpitations and shortness of breath. The conditional can lead to an increased risk of stroke and heart failure. AF episodes can cause the blood in the atria to stagnate and form clots, usually within the left atrial appendage (LAA). The clots can flow to the brain and cause a stroke. Treatments include anticoagulation therapy to dissolve clots, catheter or surgical ablation and LAA occlusion.

News | Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Devices (CRT) | May 22, 2018

Medtronic AdaptivCRT Feature Associated with Improved Heart Failure Patient Survival

May 22, 2018 — Medtronic plc announced...

News | Ablation Systems | May 22, 2018

LuxCath Showcases OmniView Light-Guided Ablation Catheter at HRS 2018

May 22, 2018 — LuxCath LLC showcased the next generation of its proprietary OmniView light-guided...

The Kardium Globe combined mapping and ablation catheter. The device has a distal multi-electrode array consisting of 16 ribs with 122 gold-plated electrodes. Ablation can be done with up to 24 electrodes simultaneously. #HRS2018

The Kardium Globe combined mapping and ablation catheter. The device has a distal multi-electrode array consisting of 16 ribs with 122 gold-plated electrodes. Ablation can be done with up to 24 electrodes simultaneously.

News | Ablation Systems | May 21, 2018

First Human Cases Treated With Globe Multi-electrode Contact Mapping and Ablation System

May 21, 2018 — Complete pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was achieved in more than 99 percent of patients in a first-...

The Abbott Advisor HD mapping catheter and the Biosense Webster Vizigo introducer were among two of the top innovations displayed on the show floor of Heart Rhythm 2018. #HRS2018 #HRS #HRS18

The Abbott Advisor HD mapping catheter and the Biosense Webster Vizigo introducer were among two of the top innovations displayed on the show floor of Heart Rhythm 2018.

Blog | HRS | May 21, 2018

Five Key Takeaways From Heart Rhythm 2018

Electrophysiology is one of the most rapidly-growing areas of healthcare. That may be why it’s the focus of so many...

A slide image from Reddy's presntation at Heart Rhythm 2018, showing thrombus formation on the face of a Watchman LAA Occluder device in an echo image. #HRS2018

A slide image from Reddy's presntation at Heart Rhythm 2018, showing thrombus formation on the face of a Watchman device in an echo image.

Feature | Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluders | May 18, 2018

May 18, 2018 — Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with the transcatheter Watchman device prevents thromboembolism...

Data from the CASTLE-AF trial showing lower mortality and hospitalizations in patients treated with ablation vs. medical therapy. #HRS2018

News | Atrial Fibrillation | May 18, 2018

Atrial Fibrillation Burden Reduces Mortality, Hospitalization in CASTLE-AF Trial

May 18, 2018 — Catheter ablation for...

News | Antiplatelet and Anticoagulation Therapies | May 18, 2018

Lower Oral DOAC Anticoagulant Use Associated With More Thromboembolic Events Than Warfarin

May 18, 2018 — Nearly half of patients prescribed warfarin and just under one third of those using newer direct oral...

Botulinum Toxin (botox) Injection in CABG Patients Reduces AFib After Cardiac Surgery. #HRS2018

Figure 1: At the end of 36 months, the incidence of any atrial tachyarrhythmia was 23.3 percent in the botox group, as compared to 50 percent in the placebo group

News | Atrial Fibrillation | May 18, 2018

Botulinum Toxin Injection in CABG Patients Reduces AFib After Cardiac Surgery

May 18, 2018 — Three year results of a study found injection of botulinum toxin into epicardial fat pads in...