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 | Atrial Fibrillation | July 03, 2017
July 3, 2017 — Medtronic recently announced that its Reactive ATP therapy slows the progression of atrial fibrillation...
News | Stroke | June 28, 2017
June 28, 2017 — Newly diagnosed asymptomatic atrial fibrillation patients have a higher rate of previous stroke than...
The Biosense Webster multi-electrode balloon RF ablation catheter. Each electrode can have varied power settings to avoid damage to underlying tissues like the esophagus.
Feature | EP Lab | June 22, 2017 | Dave Fornell
Electrophysiology (EP) technology has been advancing rapidly the past few years with new ablation tools to improve...
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OTC ECG devices can help detect abnormal heart rhythms in the general population, and this technology will continue to improve.
Feature | ECG | March 11, 2020
Apple created a stir when it announced in 2018 that its Apple Watch Series 4 was the first consumer health and fitness...
News | Atrial Fibrillation | May 30, 2017
May 30, 2017 — Data was positive for safety and efficacy rates of the Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC)...
News | May 30, 2017
May 30, 2017 — Abbott recently announced European CE mark and first use of the new Confirm Rx Insertable Cardiac...
Videos | Atrial Fibrillation | May 17, 2017
Hugh Calkins, M.D., FACC, FAHA, FHRS, director of cardiac arrhythmia services and professor of medicine at Johns...
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Several wearable, less-obtrusive ECG monitors have been cleared by the FDA for longer wear. This example is Cardiac Insight’s Cardea SOLO device.
Feature | ECG | February 19, 2020
When the patients of Michael Boler, M.D. need cardiac monitoring, the Holter monitor is no longer his first choice. “...
Biosense Webster's multi-electrode RF ablation balloon with irrigation. The system allows operators to change the energy levels of each electrode to avoid damaging sensitive underlying critical structures like the esophagus or phrenic nerve.
Feature | Ablation Systems | May 17, 2017 | Dave Fornell
May 17, 2017 – Clinical trial results from a first-in-human study evaluating the acute feasibility of an...
The Medtronic Reveal Linq implantable cardiac monitor is the smallest implantable monitor on the market. It is used as a long-term Holter monitor for 24-hour a day, 365-day a year patient monitoring. The device uses wireless connectivity to download the patient data with a patient bedside base unit to send the information over the internet so it is accessible by physicians.
Feature | Atrial Fibrillation | May 16, 2017
May 16, 2017 - The study using small, subcutaneous implantable cardiac monitors for long-term, 24-hour a day monitoring...
Feature | Atrial Fibrillation | May 15, 2017
May 15, 2017 – The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) in joint partnership with several other electrophysiology societies...
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Use of traditional Holter monitor leads can be an issue for patient compliance and comfort. The newer generation ambulatory cardiac monitors use a small, adhesive patch that sticks directly on the patient's chest and allows them to shower and go about daily activities without a belt mounted monitor or leads getting in the way. This is especially important for longer term monitoring of seven days or longer.
Feature | ECG | September 27, 2018
Advances in the technology of wearable cardiac monitors are improving both the experience of the patient and the...
News | Stroke | May 12, 2017
May 12, 2017 — More than one-third of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) were observed...
News | Ablation Systems | May 10, 2017
May 10, 2017 — Abbott announced CE Mark of the TactiCath Contact Force Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled, developed to...
News | EP Mapping and Imaging Systems | May 02, 2017
May 2, 2017 — Acutus Medical recently announced that enrollment has been completed in its pivotal Utilizing Novel...
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An example of the new generation of cardiac monitoring device that is replacing Holter monitoring is the Cardea Solo wearable sensor. The FDA-cleared device automatically analyzes data when the device is turned back into the physician's office and automatically produces a draft summary report. This technology can simplify the workflow by eliminating the need for third-party involvement.
Feature | Atrial Fibrillation | September 13, 2018
Rapid advances in technology to monitor atrial fibrillation (AF or Afib) are enabling clinicians to access real-time...
News | Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluders | April 25, 2017
April 25, 2017 — AtriCure Inc. announced it has sold more than 100,000 AtriClip Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion System...
Feature | HRS | May 16, 2017
May 16, 2017 — Here is a list of the late-breaking clinical trials presented at the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) 2017...
News | Atrial Fibrillation | April 11, 2017
April 10, 2017 — Medtronic recently announced the first enrollments in the STOP Persistent AF clinical trial. The study...
