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.
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. “...
News | Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluders | February 03, 2020
February 3, 2020 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a the CATALYST trial designed to assess...
Medtronic's PulseSelect Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) System.
News | Atrial Fibrillation | January 31, 2020
January 31, 2020 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Medtronic approval to proceed with an...
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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...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two applications for the first generics of the anticoagulant Eliquis (apixaban).
Feature | Antiplatelet and Anticoagulation Therapies | December 27, 2019
December 27, 2019 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two applications for the first generics of...
Peter Weiss, M.D., explains a Stereotaxis robotically navigated cardiac ablation procedure at Banner University Medicine Heart Institute.
Feature | EP Lab | December 23, 2019 | J. Peter Weiss, M.D., MSc
Robotic technology, which helps carry out repetitive tasks efficiently and precisely, has been gaining ground in...
News | AHA | November 22, 2019
November 22, 2019 — Artificial intelligence can examine electrocardiogram (ECG) test results, a common medical test, to...
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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. “...
News | Cardiovascular Surgery | October 23, 2019
October 23, 2019 — Proactive administration of amiodarone to patients recovering from a common heart surgery shows...
Image courtesy of the American Heart Association.
News | Atrial Fibrillation | October 22, 2019
October 22, 2019 — Drinking small amounts of alcohol frequently is linked with a higher likelihood of atrial...
News | Atrial Fibrillation | October 22, 2019
October 22, 2019 — Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart arrhythmia in humans. This condition increases the risk...
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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 | Wearables | October 17, 2019
October 17, 2019 — The Bristol-Myers Squibb-Pfizer Alliance and Fitbit announced at the TIME 100 Health Summit in New...
News | EP Mapping and Imaging Systems | October 15, 2019
October 15, 2019 — Kardium Inc. announced that the Globe mapping and ablation system has successfully demonstrated...
The life of Afib patient Glynn Crawford was saved three days after being prescribed a Zoll LifeVest wearable defibrillator by his cardiologist Barbara Williams, M.D., at University Hospitals Ahuja Medical CenterShe identified him as a high-risk for sudden cardiac arrest.
Feature | Sudden Cardiac Arrest | October 07, 2019
October 7, 2019 — Glynn Crawford was hospitalized at University Hospitals Ahuja Medical Center in late June/early July...
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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 | Heart Failure | September 20, 2019
September 20, 2019 — The new Max and Debra Ernst Heart Center at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Mich., will open Sept....
InfoBionic’s MoMe Kardia remote ECG monitor is an example of the newer generation devices that are replacing traditional Holter monitors. It has a single button for patients to create an alert when they are experiencing arrhythmia symptoms.
Feature | ECG Wireless Remote Access | August 30, 2019 | Stuart Long and Colin Movsowitz, M.D.
Until recently, cardiologists trying to diagnose and treat arrhythmias have had to deal with technological limitations...
The Apple Watch is being used to help identify and track Afib in the general population.
Blog | Wearables | August 29, 2019
Atrial fibrillation, or Afib, kills about 130,000 people worldwide every year. It also affects 3 to 6 million people...
