Fibrillation
Articles tagged with Fibrillation
Large clinical RCT trial finds no clear added benefit of catheter ablation for preventing recurrent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation
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...
Korea University study identifies liver–metabolic disease as a key risk factor for heart failure in older adults with atrial fibrillation
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.
Regular exercise reduces atrial fibrillation recurrence by nearly 50% after catheter ablation, study shows
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.
Smartwatch use enhances the detection of heart arrythmias, increasing the quality of care.
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.
UH cardiac researcher develops breakthrough advancement in battling pediatric heart disease
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.
Genetic testing trifecta predicts risk of sudden cardiac death and arrhythmia
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.
Drink Up: Coffee is safe for people with A-Fib
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.
Predicting and lengthening pacemaker battery life
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.
Living in a food desert doubles stroke risk for patients with atrial fibrillation, study finds
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.
New artificial intelligence model accurately identifies which atrial fibrillation patients need blood thinners to prevent stroke
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.
Urgent unmet need for improved tools to identify patients at risk of myocardial infarction
Researchers highlight a significant gap in detecting symptoms and preventive measures before myocardial infarctions, with distinct differences found between age groups and genders.
National Heart Centre Singapore and Mayo Clinic to advance cardiovascular care and research
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.
The heart of female elite athletes adapts differently than those of male elite athletes
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...
An app to detect heart attacks and strokes -- and save lives
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.
Heart rhythm disorder traced to bacterium lurking in our gums
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.
Breakthrough Durham University research offers new insights into quenching electrical waves in the heart
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.
Drinking coffee may help prevent mental decline in people with atrial fibrillation
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.
Defibrillation devices can save lives using 1,000 times less electricity
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.
How many people have A-Fib? Three times more than we thought
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.
UCalgary study identifies a key role for pharmacists in stroke risk reduction
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.
Female heart patients less likely to have additional problems fixed during surgery
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.
Severe heart disease is escalating in incidence
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.
New anti-clotting medication reduces bleeding among people with atrial fibrillation
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 technique offers improved diagnostic precision and a route to personalized therapy for a common arrhythmia that affects more than 10 million people in Europe
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.
CHEST® Critical Care launches first issue
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 awarded a National Institutes of Health grant to develop injectable hydrogel electrodes to prevent ventricular arrhythmias
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.
Rutgers researchers use artificial intelligence to predict cardiovascular disease
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.
Irregular heart rhythms detected in 1 in 5 stroke survivors, increasing risk of new stroke
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.
The best genetic predictors of heart arrhythmia and hidden comorbidity
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.
Simulations show weak electrical pulses could treat atrial and ventricular fibrillations
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.
Research brief: Identifying patients with sarcoidosis at risk for bad cardiac outcomes
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.
Study finds sociodemographic disparities in prescribing of medication for stroke prevention for atrial fibrillation patients
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.
Smartwatch app found to accurately detect atrial fibrillation
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.
Atrial fibrillation and death are more common during the first year after breast cancer diagnosis
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.
Calculating a dangerous heartbeat
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.
3D mapping of post-infarction scarring increases the prognostic potential of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
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.
Screening for atrial fibrillation could reduce risk of stroke
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.
Pulp succeeded in diet? Determining the slenderization of wood pulp
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.
Researchers find new source of dangerous electrical instability in the heart
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.
The deadly toxin acrolein has a useful biological role
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.
A 'LEAP' in controlling cardiac fibrillation
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.
Homecare after hip surgery in seniors increases survival rate
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.
Arrythmia associated with heart attacks linked to higher risk of death
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.
Little-studied waves in the heart may be cause of defibrillation failure
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.
Chaos in the heart
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.