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.
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...
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...
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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...
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...
News | ECG Monitoring Services | May 09, 2018
May 9, 2018 – Medicalgorithmics S.A. will present the results of a large study evaluating online versus offline...
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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 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Portola Pharmaceuticals' Andexxa, the first antidote indicated for patients treated with rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and apixaban (Eliquis), when reversal of anticoagulation is needed due to life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding.
Feature | Antiplatelet and Anticoagulation Therapies | May 07, 2018
May 7, 2018 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Portola Pharmaceuticals' Andexxa, the first...
Technology | EP Mapping and Imaging Systems | May 03, 2018
May 3, 2018 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted market clearance for the Abbott Advisor HD Grid...
News | Ablation Systems | April 12, 2018
April 12, 2018 — Medtronic plc announced one-year results from the CRYO4PERSISTENT AF study of ablation with the Arctic...
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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 | Atrial Fibrillation | March 27, 2018
March 27, 2018 — Depression may increase the risk for atrial fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder that...
News | Wearables | March 19, 2018
March 19, 2018 — For people at heightened risk for atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm disorder that also...
News | ACC | March 15, 2018
March 15, 2018 – A newly-designed wristband and corresponding app that works with a smartwatch can accurately display...
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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...
Feature | ACC | January 31, 2018
The rapid pace of change continues to be a hallmark in cardiovascular medicine and many see that pace accelerating. In...
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...
