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.
Boston Scientific's Apama multi-electrode ablation balloon to treat atrial fibrillation. The technology allows different energies to be used for each electrode to prevent damage to the esophagus or other underlying critical structures.
Feature | Atrial Fibrillation | January 15, 2018 | Dave Fornell
The development of atrial fibrillation (AFib or AF) ablation technologies over the past 20 years has been a constant...
News | Atrial Fibrillation | January 02, 2018
January 2, 2018 — The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), in partnership with WebMD Education, announced in December the launch...
The Boston Scientific Rhythmia Mapping System produces higher-density voltage maps without increasing overall procedure time. It was the first of a new generation of high-density mapping systems to be introduced.
Feature | Atrial Fibrillation | December 18, 2017 | Kenneth Stein, M.D. FACC FHRS
When I began practicing as an electrophysiologist in 1994, the dream of successfully using cardiac catheter ablation to...
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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 | Antiplatelet and Anticoagulation Therapies | December 12, 2017
December 12, 2017 — Mayo Clinic researchers have shown a link between which type of oral anticoagulant a patient takes...
News | Antiplatelet and Anticoagulation Therapies | November 16, 2017
November 16, 2017 — Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Pfizer Inc. released real-world data (RWD) of outcomes associated...
Videos | Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluders | November 14, 2017
Vivek Reddy, M.D., director of cardiac arrhythmia services and professor of medicine, cardiology, Mount Sinai Hospital...
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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. “...
The FDA recently cleared high-speed Acutus Medical's AcQMap High Resolution image and mapping system and the AcQMap 3-D Imaging and Mapping Catheter. detects and displays both standard voltage-based and higher resolution dipole density (charge-source) maps. The system combines ultrasound anatomy construction with an ability to map the electrical-conduction of each heartbeat to identify complex arrhythmias across the entire atrial chamber. Following each ablation treatment, the heart can be re-mapped in seconds to continually visualize any changes from the prior mapping.
Feature | Atrial Fibrillation | November 07, 2017
November 7, 2017 — Here is an aggregated list of articles detailing the latest clinical data and new device technology...
Feature | Atrial Fibrillation | November 02, 2017
November 2, 2017 – Five-year results from the PREVAIL Trial comparing left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) with the...
Videos | EP Mapping and Imaging Systems | October 24, 2017
This video, provided by Acutus Medical, demonstrates a patient case showing the use of the AcQMap high-resolution...
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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...
Technology | EP Mapping and Imaging Systems | October 24, 2017
October 24, 2017 — Acutus Medical announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the AcQMap ...
News | Atrial Fibrillation | October 23, 2017
October 23, 2017 — University of North Carolina (UNC) School of Medicine cardiologist Anil Gehi, M.D., will use a $1.7...
The Abbott Confirm RX implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) is smaller than a computer thumb-drive and in implanted in a simple in-office procedure just under the skin.
Technology | Implantable Cardiac Monitor (ICM) | October 23, 2017
October 23, 2017 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared Abbott’s Confirm Rx Insertable Cardiac...
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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 | Patient Engagement | October 19, 2017
October 19, 2017 — Novel smartphone and tablet applications for atrial fibrillation patients and healthcare...
News | EP Lab | October 18, 2017
October 18, 2017 — Baylis Medical Co. Inc. and Siemens Healthineers are co-sponsoring a first-of-its kind training...
Technology | Ablation Systems | October 10, 2017
October 10, 2017 — CardioFocus Inc. recently announced the European CE Mark approval of the HeartLight Excalibur...
