Articles tagged with Atrial Fibrillation
Scientists have found two biomarkers that can be used to identify patients at risk of atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disturbance affecting 1.6 million people in the UK. The biomarkers include brain natriuretic peptide and fibroblast growth factor-23.
A study published in Annals of Internal Medicine found that canagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, is not associated with an increased risk of nonvertebral fractures among patients with type 2 diabetes. The research, which analyzed data from over 70 million patients, suggests that caution may still be necessary when prescribing canaglifloz...
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found catheter ablation superior to conventional drug therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure. The procedure was associated with reduced all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalizations, and improved quality of life.
A high salt diet may increase the risk of developing heart arrhythmia, according to a new study published in Annals of Medicine. Researchers followed 716 middle-aged men and women for 19 years, finding that those who consumed the highest levels of salt had a higher incidence of atrial fibrillation.
A new study found racial disparities in the use of oral anticoagulants among Black patients with atrial fibrillation. Compared to white and Hispanic patients, Black patients had lower odds of receiving oral anticoagulants, particularly newer versions.
Two clinical trials using botulinum toxin injections to suppress post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) showed promising results. Patients who received BTX injections during surgery had a sustained reduction in POAF incidence and overall burden over three years, accompanied by reduced hospitalization needs.
A nationwide Danish study found that depressed individuals have a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation. The study also revealed that antidepressant medication itself is not associated with the development of atrial fibrillation, contradicting previous concerns.
A new pharmacological agent, SS-68, demonstrates significant activity in preventing heart rhythm disorders and conditions of reduced blood flow to the heart caused by obstructed arteries. The compound has also been found to reduce episodes of epilepsy in brain injury-induced arrhythmias.
Researchers found that people with migraines who experience visual disturbances are at a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation. The condition increases the risk of stroke and blood clots, highlighting the need for further research on screening and management strategies.
A new study found that patients with atrial fibrillation show signs of asymptomatic brain injury. Three biomarkers were significantly higher in AF patients, suggesting chronic cerebral injuries may contribute to neurodegenerative problems.
A new study of over 174,000 patients found that being treated with too much medication for hypothyroidism can lead to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation and stroke. The research suggests that the optimal healthy range of free thyroxine (fT4) levels may need to be reconsidered.
The use of stroke-preventing anticoagulants in Canada is hindered by barriers including perceived cost, lack of funding approval and physician skepticism. Despite the benefits of these medications, many patients with atrial fibrillation remain undertreated, resulting in preventable strokes.
Preliminary research suggests opioid use increases risk of developing atrial fibrillation by 34 percent. Atrial fibrillation is a chaotic quivering of the heart's upper chambers, one of the leading causes of strokes.
The study aims to determine the accuracy of irregular-pulse detection by the watch and compare it with simultaneous ECG patch recordings. Researchers hope this study will help better understand how wearable technologies can inform precision health.
Researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara developed new algorithms to localize atrial fibrillation using non-invasive electrocardiographic imaging. This technology has the potential to aid in diagnosis and prognosis of cardiac disorders without requiring invasive surgeries.
A study published in Neurology found that people with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat, are at a faster rate of decline in thinking and memory skills and a higher risk of dementia. Taking anticoagulants to prevent clots may decrease the risk of dementia.
The University of Birmingham will conduct world-class research into a common heart condition in disadvantaged populations worldwide. The goal is to prevent and treat atrial fibrillation, which increases stroke risk five times.
The OAC-ALONE study found that oral anticoagulation (OAC) alone did not provide non-inferiority to combined OAC and antiplatelet therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease beyond one year after stent implantation. The study also found higher rates of major bleeding with OAC alone.
Researchers have identified a genetic predisposition to early-onset atrial fibrillation in black and Latino populations. A large registry of patients found that there is a significant family history of AFib in these groups, particularly among younger patients.
A new study found that combining oral anticoagulants with antiplatelets worsened outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation, especially those without coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease. This challenges the use of combined therapy in these patients.
Endurance athletes show more left atrial fibrosis than non-athletes, with the condition linked to a higher risk of arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation. The study suggests that increased left atrial fibrosis may help explain the higher incidence of arrhythmias in endurance athletes.
The Swiss Atrial Fibrillation Cohort Study found that 41% of atrial fibrillation patients had previously unknown brain damage, including cerebral infarcts, microbleeds, and lacunes. This brain damage may explain the association between dementia and atrial fibrillation in patients without prior stroke.
A smartphone application has been shown to effectively screen for atrial fibrillation, with a verification process that can be downsized or omitted. The study found that approximately 225 people would need to be screened to detect one new case, making this technology an attractive option for widespread screening.
A new mobile heart monitor paired with an automated algorithm and physician review can accurately detect atrial fibrillation, showing 96.6% sensitivity and 94.1% specificity compared to traditional ECGs. However, the device failed to classify some results as normal or possible AF, highlighting its limitations.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have found a genetic marker that indicates when a person with a fast heartbeat is at high risk of developing tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) and eventual heart failure. This discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of the condition, reducing the risk of cardiac damage or death.
The USPSTF concludes that routine screening for atrial fibrillation with electrocardiography is not recommended due to the lack of evidence. Atrial fibrillation increases with age and is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke, but current screening methods have not been proven effective in preventing adverse outcomes.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that physically active severely obese individuals had a significantly lower risk of developing atrial fibrillation. In contrast, those who were inactive or exercised little experienced a doubling of this risk. The study suggests that regular physical activi...
Researchers from Michigan Medicine have identified 151 genes associated with atrial fibrillation through a large genome-wide association study involving over one million individuals. The study also developed a genetic risk score that could help identify high-risk individuals and monitor them accordingly.
A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found a strong dose-response relationship between smoking and atrial fibrillation. Smoking five to ten cigarettes per day increased the risk by 9% to 32%, respectively. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce this risk, with former smokers experiencing a lower risk th...
A University of Birmingham study found that GPs have improved diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation, preventing 7,000 strokes annually. The proportion of patients prescribed anticoagulants increased from 35% to 75% between 2000 and 2016.
Adults with uncontrolled asthma have a moderately increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm. Researchers are unsure of the underlying causes for this association and urge further investigation.
A home-based, self-applied ECG sensor patch improved AF diagnosis by 3.9% compared to delayed monitoring. Monitored individuals also had higher rates of blood thinner initiation but increased healthcare resource use.
A study published in The BMJ found that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are associated with reduced risks of major bleeding compared to warfarin. Apixaban was shown to have the lowest numbers needed to treat over six months to avoid one extra major bleed.
A new observational study reveals that apixaban is potentially safer than warfarin in dialysis patients with atrial fibrillation, with a significantly lower risk of major bleeding. The study found that patients on apixaban had a 30% lower risk of major bleeding without a difference in stroke rate.
A recent study has found that poor sleep quality is an independent risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), which can lead to symptoms like heart palpitations and shortness of breath. The researchers also discovered that disruptions in sleep patterns, such as reduced REM sleep, predict a higher risk of AF.
Atrial fibrillation, Australia's most common heart rhythm disorder, can be alleviated by losing weight and treating lifestyle factors. Obesity is a leading cause of stroke and heart failure, but research shows that reducing weight by 10% can reverse the progression of the disease.
The American Heart Association awards Cleveland Clinic a $3.7 million grant for atrial fibrillation research, focusing on preventing disease progression and developing personalized therapies. The team will study the relationships between genes, aging, and metabolism to find new treatments.
In patients with congenital heart disease, atrial arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation occur at younger ages due to degenerative and progressive changes. Advanced imaging and individualized therapeutic plans using pharmacologic therapy, catheter-based ablation, and surgical therapies can help manage these conditions.
A team of researchers identified the perinexus, a tiny pocket between cardiac cells that can disrupt heartbeat, in humans for the first time. The structure's expansion may contribute to atrial fibrillation by disrupting electrical communication between cells.
Researchers found that activating inflammatory signaling in heart cells can lead to abnormal electrical patterns similar to those observed in atrial fibrillation. This suggests a potential new target for therapies aiming to treat the condition.
Research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that stressful jobs are associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation. The study included 13,200 participants and found that employees with stressful jobs were almost 50% more likely to develop the condition.
A study found that closing the left atrial appendage during coronary artery bypass or heart valve surgery reduces stroke and mortality risks, especially for patients with pre-existing atrial fibrillation. However, this procedure may increase risk in patients without prior atrial fibrillation.
A study of 30,626 Danish patients found that anticoagulation therapy after stroke significantly reduced the risk of blood vessel-blocking clots. Patients with atrial fibrillation are at increased risk of ischemic stroke, and OAC can reduce this risk.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that patients with intermittently recurring atrial fibrillation who experience longer periods of abnormal heart rhythms are three times more likely to have strokes or blood clots. Continuous heart monitoring may help physicians identify high-risk patients and tailor treatments.
Research from Intermountain Medical Center reveals that carotid artery disease and atrial fibrillation significantly increase a patient's chances of developing dementia due to restricted blood flow to the brain. The study stresses the need for physicians to monitor and screen patients for both diseases, especially those with risk factors.
Researchers identified abnormal RNA activity linked to enlarged left atrium and atrial fibrillation. They found microRNA-21-3p levels associated with adverse heart growth, enabling potential targeted medications.
Researchers found that people with resolved atrial fibrillation are nearly as likely to experience a stroke as those with ongoing atrial fibrillation. The study suggests that patients with atrial fibrillation should continue treatment even after their heart rhythm appears to have returned to normal.
A recent study published in International Journal of Cardiology found that exposure to extreme noise annoyance increases the incidence of atrial fibrillation by up to 23%. Aircraft noise is identified as a major source of noise pollution, with 84% during the day and 69% at night. The study highlights the importance of measuring noise a...
A new study found that smoking and alcohol consumption significantly increase the lifetime risk of atrial fibrillation, with risk factors at age 55 rising to 38%. An optimal risk factor profile was associated with a reduced lifetime risk of 23%, highlighting the importance of modifiable borderline and elevated risk factors in prevention.
The AVIATOR 2 international registry found significant discrepancies between physician-perceived risks and calculated scores for stroke, ischemic risk, and bleeding in patients with AF undergoing PCI. The study used a novel smartphone-based survey to capture physician and patient perspectives on antithrombotic therapies after PCI.
Research published in the journal Heart found that eating several servings of nuts per week may lower the risk of atrial fibrillation and heart failure. The study, which tracked over 61,000 Swedish adults for 17 years, found a strong association between nut consumption and reduced risk of these cardiovascular conditions.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE has confirmed the association of a chromosomal genetic variant with increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib) in Latinos. Latino individuals carrying the rs10033464 SNP at chromosome 4q25 are found to be at a 2.3-fold increased risk for developing AFib.
Researchers investigated whether an abnormal left atrium or atrial fibrillation itself is the primary driver of poor health outcomes in patients with A-Fib. The study suggests targeting upstream factors to prevent left atrial abnormalities could be a key to preventing stroke and cognitive decline.
A study found that depression is associated with an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder. Participants who scored highest on a clinical screening test for depression had a 30% higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation than those with normal test scores.
A smartwatch coupled with a machine learning algorithm detected atrial fibrillation (AF) with high accuracy in patients undergoing treatment for AF. The study used data from 9,750 participants and found promising results for the use of commercially available smartwatches to detect AF.
A recent study published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology found a significant link between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation. The research highlights the importance of closely monitoring NSAID use for heart health, particularly among high-risk individuals.
Atrial fibrillation affects millions worldwide, increasing risk of stroke and heart failure. A new study finds Apixaban and VKAs safe for treatment during catheter ablation procedures, with a significant improvement in cognitive function. The results will reassure clinicians that continuous Apixaban is an effective alternative to VKAs.
A new mobile application developed at the University of Turku can detect atrial fibrillation with 96% accuracy, significantly reducing the risk of stroke. The app uses smartphone accelerometers to identify patients with atrial fibrillation, and its results have been validated in a study involving 300 patients.
A study published in Circulation Journal identified four microRNA molecules in the bloodstream that could predict the onset of atrial fibrillation. The researchers found that these microRNAs were significantly upregulated in the serum of patients with AF and diseased mice, suggesting their potential use as biomarkers for disease.
A new study published in HeartRhythm found that blacks with atrial fibrillation are more likely to experience an ischemic stroke before or after diagnosis compared to white patients. The study analyzed data from nearly 3,500 patients and showed that black patients were 62% more likely to have had an ischemic stroke prior to AF diagnosis.