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.
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
May 21, 2018 — Complete pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was achieved in more than 99 percent of patients in a first-in-...
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
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 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...
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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 18, 2018
May 18, 2018 — Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure in the CASTLE-AF Trial was...
News | Antiplatelet and Anticoagulation Therapies | May 18, 2018
May 18, 2018 — Nearly half of patients prescribed warfarin and just under one third of those using newer direct oral...
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
May 18, 2018 — Three year results of a study found injection of botulinum toxin into epicardial fat pads in patients...
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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. “...
A live EP case presentation during the 2018 Heart Rhythm meeting.
Feature | HRS | May 18, 2018 | Dave Fornell
Here is an aggregation of all the news and late-breaking studies presented at the 2018 Heart Rhythm Society (HRS)...
Atrial fibrillation ablation using the Abbott Ensite electro mapping system.
Feature | Atrial Fibrillation | May 17, 2018
May 16, 2018 – The first results of the randomized, multicenter, long-term, international CABANA clinical trial were...
News | Ablation Systems | May 17, 2018
May 17, 2018 — Medical device manufacturer CardioFocus Inc. announced a successful live case featuring its HeartLight...
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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 | ECG Monitoring Services | May 17, 2018
May 17, 2018 — A new study published in JAMA Cardiology used the Zio continuous cardiac monitoring system by iRhythm to...
Technology | Patient Monitors | May 16, 2018
May 16, 2018 — Itamar Medical Ltd. announced the launch of SleePath, the first integrated e-health sleep apnea care...
News | Atrial Fibrillation | May 15, 2018
May 15, 2018 — A new study is the first to report a relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and new...
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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 | Atrial Fibrillation | May 15, 2018
May 15, 2018 — According to new research, smoking marijuana may not be associated with an increased risk of ventricular...
Photo courtesy of the American Heart Association
News | Atrial Fibrillation | May 15, 2018
May 15, 2018 – Results of the AVIATOR 2 international registry data show a discrepancy between physician perception and...
Image courtesy of Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute
News | Atrial Fibrillation | May 11, 2018
May 11, 2018 — A new study finds that integrating two separate clinical risk score models more accurately helps...
