Articles tagged with Atrial Fibrillation
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A new study shows that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can stage the degree of damaged heart tissue and help predict whether treatment will be successful. Patients with early-stage atrial fibrosis have a higher chance of being cured, while those with late-stage fibrosis have a lower success rate.
A mass screening program in Sweden identified 5% of 75- to 76-year-olds with untreated atrial fibrillation. The study found that more than 90% of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation were started on oral anticoagulation treatment, which reduces the risk of stroke by up to 70%.
Patients with three or more cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes and hypertension, have a comparable stroke risk to those with atrial fibrillation. The study found that the risk of stroke associated with atrial fibrillation is eliminated in patients with five or more risk factors.
A CHADS2 score of 0 or 1 indicates a low stroke risk, but 35.8% of strokes occurred in patients with these scores, suggesting refined stratification is needed. The CHA2DS2-VASc score reclassified 53.8% of patients to higher risk categories.
Research shows that general practitioners underdiagnose and undertreat women with atrial fibrillation (AF), particularly those with a high stroke risk. A study of over 15,000 French patients found that women were less likely to receive anticoagulant treatment than men, regardless of their age or comorbidities.
The European Society of Cardiology emphasizes the need for personalized AF management to close the mortality gap. Current therapies have only improved mortality by 5-10%. A new taxonomy of AF is proposed based on its pathophysiology, and biomarkers, imaging, and ECG are being studied to improve treatment.
A study published in JAMA found that early surgical correction of mitral valve regurgitation was associated with greater long-term survival and lower risk of heart failure compared to initial medical management. This is particularly true for patients without American College of Cardiology guideline class I triggers.
The ISSUE III registry study found that cardiac pacing is more effective in patients with presumed neurally mediated syncope (NMS) and asystolic episodes, than in patients with positive tilt table testing. The registry showed that oral anticoagulation therapy is now widely used in patients with atrial fibrillation.
The GAP-AF study found that complete ablation with complete linear lesions around pulmonary veins was more effective than incomplete lesions in preventing AF recurrence. This approach resulted in higher success rates and longer periods of sinus rhythm compared to incomplete procedures.
A new study finds a U-shaped association between fish consumption and atrial fibrillation risk, with moderate intakes offering the greatest protection. The lowest risk was found in individuals consuming around 0.63g of marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids per day, corresponding to two servings of fatty fish per week.
Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) show signs of depression, sleeping disorders, and low levels of physical activity, despite physicians rating their quality of life higher. Good communication between physicians and patients is crucial for adherence to medications and long-term prognosis.
A new risk assessment model helps physicians decide whether to start blood-thinning treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation. The model incorporates common clinical features and age categories to calculate a risk score, providing more reliable guidance.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that cross-country skiers who completed more races and had faster finishing times were at a higher risk of developing arrhythmia. The risk was 30% higher for those completing five or more races, with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and bradyarrhythmia.
Research found that people with atrial fibrillation experience lower memory and thinking scores at earlier ages, with faster decline rates compared to those without the condition. Cognitive impairment or dementia risk may be higher for those with atrial fibrillation, particularly after age 75.
The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) is introducing late-breaking clinical trials for the first time at its annual meeting, EHRA EUROPACE 2013. These trials focus on innovative treatments for atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias.
A common EKG test may predict serious cardiovascular illness in people with left anterior fascicular block (LAFB), a previously thought benign condition. The study found those with LAFB had a higher risk of atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure and death.
A new study published in the European Heart Journal has found no evidence that digoxin increases mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation. The study analyzed data from over 3,400 patients and found that digoxin was not associated with an increased risk of death or hospitalization.
Researchers investigated the effects of medical yoga on patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and found significant decreases in blood pressure and heart rate. In another study, acupressure was shown to reduce pulse rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with persistent AF.
Women with atrial fibrillation experience more symptoms and a lower quality of life compared to men, according to a study analyzing over 10,000 patients. Despite this, women tend to live longer than their male peers, highlighting the need for further research into gender disparities in cardiovascular disease management.
The American College of Physicians publishes a special supplement on patient safety strategies, featuring articles on reducing cancer risk through colonoscopy screening and increasing colorectal cancer screening adherence via electronic health records. Researchers found that colonoscopy screening reduces late-stage cancer diagnosis by ...
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital developed a simple atrial fibrillation risk prediction model for women, improving accuracy over existing methods. The model considers six easily obtainable factors: age, height, weight, blood pressure, alcohol consumption, and smoking history.
Researchers at UCSF and Kaiser Permanente have found that atrial fibrillation significantly increases the risk of end-stage renal disease among patients with chronic kidney disease. The study involved over 206,000 adults and showed that those who developed atrial fibrillation were 67% more likely to progress to kidney failure.
Researchers developed a virtual heart model to investigate atrial fibrillation, revealing electrical heterogeneity and fibre structure as key factors in the condition's initiation. The study provides new insights into the complex mechanisms underlying AF, paving the way for potential treatments.
A new study found that metabolic stress can increase the onset of atrial arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, by activating KATP channels in the atria. Blocking these channels with anti-diabetic drugs reversed the effects of metabolic stress and prevented atrial arrhythmia induction.
A University of Kentucky study found that digoxin, a widely used heart medication, increases the possibility of death in patients with atrial fibrillation. The research, published in the European Heart Journal, analyzed data from 4,060 AF patients and found a 41% increase in deaths from any cause.
A study published in the European Heart Journal found that digoxin is associated with a significant increase in deaths in patients with atrial fibrillation. High levels of digoxin in the blood have been correlated with an increased death rate in these patients.
Researchers found that prolonged QRS duration and PR/QT intervals are strong indicators of risk. These electrical wave measures can help doctors identify patients at higher risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, including death.
Patients with atrial fibrillation experienced more major and non-major clinically relevant GI bleeding when taking rivaroxaban than warfarin. Major and non-major, clinically relevant bleeding occurred more frequently with rivaroxaban use.
A new study published in The Lancet found that apixaban is more effective and safer than warfarin for patients with atrial fibrillation and at least one additional risk factor for stroke. This suggests that current risk scoring systems may be less relevant when using apixaban, potentially simplifying treatment decisions.
A large study found that moderate alcohol consumption increases the risk of atrial fibrillation in older people with heart disease or advanced diabetes. The study involved over 30,000 individuals from 40 countries and found a significant increase in atrial fibrillation cases linked to higher alcohol consumption.
New guidelines set minimum acceptable success rates for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, with 50% success rate expected at 12 months. Long-term outcome data shows only 40-50% of patients remain free of recurrent AF after 5 years.
The PRAGUE-12 trial revealed that surgical ablation using the MAZE procedure significantly improves sinus rhythm presence one year post-operatively among patients with permanent AF. However, it had no impact on mortality, stroke or other hard clinical outcomes during a one-year follow-up.
The Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Pilot Study found that catheter ablation suppresses arrhythmia recurrences in 74% of patients after a single procedure. Symptoms such as palpitations and shortness of breath were significantly reduced, with over half of patients becoming asymptomatic.
A nationwide Danish cohort study found that obese women are at a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation than healthy weight women. The risk is more pronounced in very obese women, with a hazard ratio of over 3 times the normal risk.
A large nationwide cohort study found that female gender increases the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation aged over 75 years by 20%. The findings suggest that female sex should not be included as an independent risk factor in guidelines or risk stratification schemes.
Researchers have developed a new technique to detect and target tiny electrical disturbances in the heart, resulting in an 86% success rate in treating atrial fibrillation. The CONFIRM trial found that this approach significantly improved outcomes compared to conventional catheter procedures.
A new targeting technology has been found to improve outcomes for patients with atrial fibrillation, with an 86% success rate after a single procedure. The technology, known as focal impulse and rotor modulation (FIRM), allows doctors to detect and shut down the electrical sources of the arrhythmia in minutes.
A new study from the University of Manchester confirms safety indicators for people taking anticoagulant drugs to regulate atrial fibrillation, a condition that increases stroke risk. The study found that patients with high INR levels were more likely to experience bleeding episodes.
A new trial shows that a short-term antiarrhythmic drug treatment can prevent recurrences of atrial fibrillation as effectively as long-term treatment. The Flec-SL trial found that patients treated with flecainide for four weeks had fewer AF relapses than those receiving long-term treatment.
The CHA2DS2-VASc score has been validated in different populations, identifying very low risk patients who do not need antithrombotic therapy. New oral anticoagulants have a greater net clinical benefit compared to warfarin when both bleeding and stroke risks are high.
A study found little difference in mortality within four years of treatment, but rhythm control may be associated with more effective long-term outcomes for patients with atrial fibrillation. The research suggests that rhythm control therapy may have a protective effect over time.
New UCSF research establishes a stronger causal link between alcohol consumption and serious palpitations in patients with atrial fibrillation. Patients with atrial fibrillation had almost a four and a half times greater chance of having an episode if they were consuming alcohol than if they were not.
A large cohort study found that history of palpitations and hypertension are significant risk factors for atrial fibrillation in both men and women. Palpitations increased the risk of AF by 62% in women and 91% in men, while hypertension doubled the risk in women and increased it by 40% in men.
A new study published in JAMA found that elderly women with atrial fibrillation are at a higher risk of stroke than men. The study suggests that these women may need more effective stroke prevention therapy, which could be targeted towards female sex as a key risk factor.
A study published in JAMA found that older women with atrial fibrillation have a significantly higher risk of stroke compared to men, even when taking anticoagulant medication. The research suggests that current stroke prevention therapy may not be sufficient for these patients, highlighting the need for targeted treatment strategies.
A recent study published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery found that patients with atrial fibrillation who undergo cardiac surgery without treatment have a lower long-term survival rate compared to those with sinus rhythm. Successful surgical treatment of A-fib during cardiac surgery can improve patient outcomes an...
Researchers found that stopping anti-clotting medication in patients with irregular heartbeats increases the risk of stroke within a month. The study analyzed data from over 14,000 patients and found that both warfarin and rivaroxaban carried similar stroke risks after temporary or permanent discontinuation.
A study analyzing individual data from prospective studies suggests that subclinical hyperthyroidism is associated with an increased risk of total mortality, CHD death, and incident atrial fibrillation. The risk is highest when thyrotropin levels are below 0.10 mIU/L.
A meta-analysis of 32,053 patients found warfarin to be effective in preventing strokes and non-central nervous system embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. However, elderly patients, women, and those with previous stroke or TIA were at higher risk.
The Canadian Journal of Cardiology has published new guidelines for atrial fibrillation, which provide updated guidance on stroke prevention and heart rhythm control. The guidelines are based on recent changes in drugs available to treat the condition and will have a significant impact on how doctors worldwide treat atrial fibrillation.
A study published in Canadian Medical Association Journal found a strong link between irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) and cognitive decline, dementia, and loss of independence in daily activities. Researchers analyzed data from two large trials and found that patients with atrial fibrillation were 34% more likely to experienc...
Scientists at the University of Nottingham developed a mathematical model of calcium activity in atrial heart cells, improving our understanding of heart disease and stroke. The model provides clinically relevant insights into sub-cellular calcium signals, allowing for new treatments for conditions like atrial fibrillation.
Research suggests that erratic heart rhythms, particularly paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF), contribute to about one-fifth of unexplained strokes. Patients with stroke of unknown origin may benefit from extended monitoring and treatment with medications like dabigatran and rivaroxaban.
Researchers discovered that rivaroxaban, a new anti-clotting drug, is less likely to cause brain bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who are at high risk of stroke. The study found five risk factors that increase the likelihood of AF patients experiencing intracranial bleeding.
Researchers at McMaster University found that nearly 1 in 3 patients with pacemakers and no history of atrial fibrillation experience asymptomatic atrial arrhythmias, increasing stroke risk. These episodes were often undetected until they were picked up by the pacemaker, highlighting the importance of monitoring for silent fibrillation.
A study published in Archives of Internal Medicine found dabigatran to be associated with a higher risk of myocardial infarction and acute coronary syndrome. The research suggests that clinicians should consider the potential cardiovascular risks when using dabigatran, particularly in high-risk populations.
A large study group of Kentucky women found that only 30% were receiving warfarin for atrial fibrillation. The study suggests warfarin anticoagulation treatment is underutilized in this population, but not due to economic or educational disparities.
A $3.8 million grant will investigate the connection between sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation, with the goal of identifying new approaches for prevention and treatment. The study aims to characterize how sleep apnea affects the heart's structure and function, potentially leading to improved outcomes for patients with this condition.
Researchers at Intermountain Medical Center found that patients with excess vitamin D levels had a two and a half times greater risk of developing atrial fibrillation. The study suggests that communication between patients and healthcare providers is critical to determine safe doses of vitamin supplements.
A new study by Intermountain Medical Center researchers found that heart patients taking vitamins with warfarin are less likely to take their medication as prescribed. Patients who use vitamin supplements with warfarin are more likely to experience unexplained bleeding and need non-surgical transfusions.