Korea University Anam Hospital's Arrhythmia Center has been designated as a Center of Excellence for PFA, recognizing its extensive experience and training capabilities in treating atrial fibrillation. The center plans to share its expertise and contribute to the training of medical professionals, extending safe and effective treatment...
Dr. Sebastian Spethmann joins JMIR Cardio as Editor-in-Chief, bringing expertise in heart failure, cardiomyopathies, and digital health. He aims to integrate digital advancements into routine clinical care, enhancing cardiovascular health systems and patient outcomes.
A new meta-analysis of 114,000+ participants found that low-dose omega-3 supplementation is not associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, even among individuals at elevated cardiovascular risk. In contrast, high-dose prescription therapies may modestly increase AF risk in these patients.
A new preclinical study by Amsterdam UMC researchers overturns a key assumption in the biological pacemaker field. They show that transcription factor TBX18 does not generate true pacemaker activity, while ion channel Hcn2 produces robust pacemaker function in the heart.
A new study by Karolinska Institutet shows that daily smartphone-based heart rhythm monitoring can reduce same-day cardioversion cancellations by 94.7% and save significant healthcare resources. The method, called CORAI, uses photoplethysmography to measure small changes in blood flow, allowing for accurate heart rhythm assessment.
A major international study has identified ways to detect patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at serious risk of sudden death, heart failure or other dangerous outcomes. The findings will help save lives by improving the ability to determine who is at greatest risk and spare low-risk patients from unneeded heart implants.
A nationwide Japanese trial found that catheter ablation did not reduce the risk of recurrent stroke or major cardiovascular events in patients with atrial fibrillation who had recently experienced a stroke. The study, which enrolled 251 patients and followed them for over three years, suggests that routine addition of catheter ablatio...
A Korea University study reveals that liver metabolic disease is a key risk factor for heart failure in older adults with atrial fibrillation, with MASLD having the lowest risk and ALD carrying the highest risk. The study highlights the importance of liver health in cardiovascular disease management.
A new study from CU Anschutz researchers found that regular physical activity can significantly lower post-ablation atrial fibrillation recurrence risk. Adults who engaged in moderate exercise for 30 minutes three times a week had markedly lower rates of AF recurrence compared to those who were less active.
Smartwatches with PPG and ECG functionality improve atrial fibrillation detection, detecting it four times more often than standard care. Researchers detected heart arrhythmia in 21 patients using smartwatches compared to five in those receiving standard care after six months of monitoring.
Researchers at the University of Houston have discovered that loss-of-function in epicardial proteins leads to left ventricular noncompaction, or spongy heart, causing pediatric-onset heart failure. A new therapeutic approach may prevent babies from being born with this life-threatening disease.
A new genetic risk score combines rare and common gene variants with non-coding genome information to predict arrhythmia risk. This comprehensive framework can be applied to other genetically influenced diseases like cancer and Parkinson's Disease.
Researchers found that drinking a cup of caffeinated coffee per day reduced Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) by 39% in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. The study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, suggests that coffee may be protective against A-Fib and could potentially reduce blood pressure.
Researchers developed an algorithm to optimize pacemaker function usage, reducing battery power consumption and potentially extending battery life by years. By switching off unnecessary features, doctors can reduce the number of surgeries needed and lower associated costs for the NHS.
Patients with atrial fibrillation who live in neighborhoods with poor access to full-service grocery stores face sharply higher odds of stroke and death. Food desert residence is linked to a 2.21-times higher risk of ischemic stroke and a 3.84-times higher risk of death over five years.
Researchers developed an AI model that makes individualized treatment recommendations for atrial fibrillation patients, potentially revolutionizing stroke and bleeding prevention. The model reclassified up to half of AF patients from receiving anticoagulants under current guidelines.
Researchers highlight a significant gap in detecting symptoms and preventive measures before myocardial infarctions, with distinct differences found between age groups and genders.
The collaboration aims to co-develop new treatment paradigms and accelerate innovation in cardiac care, with a focus on Asian populations. The partnership will create opportunities for breakthrough research, knowledge exchange, and training for healthcare professionals.
Research led by Amsterdam UMC reveals the hearts of female elite athletes have different characteristics compared to their male counterparts. Female athletes exhibit dilation of the heart chambers, whereas males show thickening in combination with a dilation of the heart muscle. This finding can aid doctors in identifying possible hear...
A new smartphone app, ECHAS, can help people determine if they are suffering from a heart attack or stroke and need medical attention. The app, developed by experts at UVA Health and other leading institutions, proved effective in identifying patients with cardiac and neurological emergencies.
Researchers at Hiroshima University find that Porphyromonas gingivalis can infiltrate the heart and drive scar tissue buildup, raising the risk of atrial fibrillation. The study provides evidence that periodontitis may be contributing to the surge in AFib cases globally.
Researchers at Durham University have developed a theoretical framework to predict the efficacy of quenching electrical pulses in excitable media, such as those found in the human heart. This breakthrough could significantly accelerate the development of more efficient defibrillation techniques for treating cardiac arrhythmias.
A new study found that drinking up to five cups of coffee daily may improve cognitive function in people with atrial fibrillation. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, suggests that coffee consumption may offset the increased risk of cognitive impairment associated with AFib.
Researchers developed an optimized model for defibrillation that reduces energy consumption by 1,000 times, minimizing cardiac tissue damage and pain. The new approach exploits the sensitivity of fibrillation to small changes in electrical field profiles.
A new study estimates nearly 10.5 million U.S. adults have A-Fib, a three-fold increase from previous estimates. Early detection and treatment can reduce its adverse outcomes.
A UCalgary study found that involving community pharmacists in prescribing blood thinners for individuals with undiagnosed or undertreated atrial fibrillation can improve stroke prevention. The study showed a 34% increase in optimal blood thinner use among at-risk individuals.
Research from Michigan Medicine found that female patients with atrial fibrillation and tricuspid regurgitation are less likely to receive simultaneous procedures during cardiac surgery, despite guideline recommendations. This disparity may be related to perceived higher risk among women.
Researchers found that over 130,000 people in Denmark live with atrial fibrillation, with a 20% increase in new cases each year. The study reveals heart failure is the most common complication, with a risk of death twice as high as stroke after diagnosis.
A new anti-clotting medication, abelacimab, has significantly reduced bleeding among people with atrial fibrillation who are at risk of stroke. The AZALEA-TIMI 71 trial found that abelacimab substantially reduced bleeding compared to the current standard of care use of direct-acting oral anticoagulants.
A new diagnostic method assesses electrical and mechanical activity in the heart during atrial fibrillation, providing personalized assessment of atrial remodeling. This can help predict disease progression and guide treatment.
The inaugural issue of CHEST Critical Care focuses on clinically relevant research and patient management guidance for critical care medicine. The journal accepts submissions of original research, case series, and research letters, covering topics such as intensive care medicine and diverse populations.
The Texas Heart Institute and The University of Texas at Austin receive a four-year, $2.37 million NIH grant to develop injectable hydrogel electrodes for preventing and managing ventricular arrhythmias. Researchers have already demonstrated the feasibility of pacing the heart using the hydrogel in a porcine model.
Researchers at Rutgers University used artificial intelligence to analyze genes associated with cardiovascular disease, identifying key factors such as age, gender, and race. The study aims to accelerate early diagnosis and treatment of conditions like atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
A recent study found that about 1 in 5 people who survived an ischemic stroke had irregular heart rhythms, atrial fibrillation, due to atherosclerosis. The study suggests that these patients are at increased risk of recurrent strokes and highlights the need for continuous cardiac monitoring to detect unsuspected atrial fibrillation.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences discover genes and individual variations associated with atrial fibrillation, predicting stroke and mortality risk. They also uncover a potential treatment target, ERRg, involved in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation.
Researchers have developed a new way to time weak electrical pulses that can stop life-threatening arrhythmias like atrial and ventricular fibrillations. The approach, adaptive deceleration pacing, uses a series of weak pulses spaced farther apart over time.
Researchers have identified specific magnetic resonance imaging features that indicate cardiac sarcoidosis patients are at higher risk for adverse cardiac outcomes, including ventricular arrhythmias. These findings suggest that patients with certain cardiac MRI features may benefit from implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
A new study reveals racial and socioeconomic inequalities in the prescribing of oral anticoagulants to reduce stroke risk in people with atrial fibrillation. Patients from black and other ethnic minorities, as well as those living in deprived areas, are less likely to receive medication.
A smartwatch app was found to accurately detect atrial fibrillation in nearly 94% of users who followed up with a clinician. The study also screened participants for obstructive sleep apnea and found that those flagged for possible sleep apnea were 1.5 times more likely to have AFib.
Women with breast cancer are at a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation and dying from heart-related issues within the first year. The condition was more common in women who did not receive surgery or radiation as their initial treatment.
A team of researchers from Flinders University has developed a single mathematical equation that can accurately model and predict the behavior of ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening heart rhythm. The equation uses principles from renewal theory to predict the population dynamics of 'rotors' found in the heart during VF.
A multidisciplinary team developed a method for identifying 3-dimensional features of scar tissue after myocardial infarction, enhancing cardiac magnetic resonance imaging's prognostic potential. The new method reveals significant correlation between low scar transmurality and ventricular tachycardia episodes, improving clinical practice.
Atrial fibrillation screening in 75- and 76-year-olds may significantly reduce the risk of stroke, severe bleeding, and death. The study, published in The Lancet, found that at least 2,300 cases of stroke or death could be avoided per year with national screening.
Scientists at Osaka University create test to determine wood pulp quality by analyzing its optical birefringence, leading to clearer grading and utilization of renewable biomass. This innovation uses the intrinsic property of cellulose nanofibers to measure morphology change, enabling precise structure control.
A study by Georgia Institute of Technology and FDA researchers found a new factor contributing to dangerous electrical turbulence in the heart, including varying amplitude of action potential. This discovery could lead to new methods for predicting and preventing life-threatening cardiac fibrillation.
Researchers at RIKEN discovered that acrolein can combine with polyamines to form substances that prevent the aggregation of amyloid-beta peptides, a process linked to Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest that acrolein may have an anti-fibrillation effect, potentially influencing the progression of neurological disorders.
Researchers develop a new LEAP (Low-Energy Anti-fibrillation Pacing) method to terminate life-threatening cardiac fibrillation, reducing energy required by more than 80%. The technique uses weak electrical signals to synchronize the heart's tissue, gradually suppressing chaotic activity.
A Canadian study published in CMAJ found that home care after hip surgery in seniors significantly increases survival rates. The study of 11,326 patients aged 65 and older revealed that those who received home care were 43% less likely to die within three months of the procedure.
Researchers found that heart attack patients who develop serious arrhythmia during procedures face a significantly higher risk of death for several months after the procedure. The study suggests that these episodes complicate outcomes and affect a patient's chance of a successful outcome.
Vanderbilt University researchers find that damped propagating waves, not fully extinguished by low voltage defibrillation shocks, could lead to cardiac arrhythmia. These waves, difficult to detect and study, may be a cause of defibrillation failure.
A team of scientists has discovered that chaotic wave patterns in the heart's electrical pulses can be controlled and potentially terminated using a weak periodic modulation. This discovery could lead to new methods for treating cardiac fibrillation, a life-threatening condition.