Atrial Fibrillation News and Research

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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is a problem with the speed or rhythm of the heartbeat. A disorder in the heart’s electrical system causes AF and other types of arrhythmia. AF occurs when rapid, disorganized electrical signals in the heart’s two upper chambers, called the atria, cause them to contract very fast and irregularly (this is called fibrillation). As a result, blood pools in the atria and isn’t pumped completely into the heart’s two lower chambers, called the ventricles. When this happens, the heart’s upper and lower chambers don’t work together as they should. Often, people who have AF may not even feel symptoms. However, even when not noticed, AF can lead to an increased risk of stroke. In many patients, particularly when the rhythm is extremely rapid, AF can cause chest pain, heart attack, or heart failure. AF may occur rarely or every now and then, or it may become a persistent or permanent heart rhythm lasting for years.

METASTROKE refines genetic stroke culprits

An analysis from the METASTROKE collaboration confirms an increased stroke risk associated with four previously reported genetic loci and shows that these are specific to certain stroke subtypes.

15 Oct 2012

Study examines link between alcohol consumption and AF in patients with cardiovascular disease

An analysis of the association of alcohol consumption with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) among subjects with coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, or other manifestations of cardiovascular disease (CVD) was based on subjects in two large antihypertensive drug treatment trials.

15 Oct 2012

METASTROKE refines genetic stroke culprits

An analysis from the METASTROKE collaboration confirms an increased stroke risk associated with four previously reported genetic loci and shows that these are specific to certain stroke subtypes.

12 Oct 2012

Key to eczema’s itch uncovered

An influx of neutrophils that secrete a lipid called leukotriene B4 is responsible for triggering the itching and inflammation of the skin typically seen in patients with eczema, suggest study findings.

12 Oct 2012

Inhaled corticosteroids increase Staphylococcus pneumoniae infection risk

Regular use of inhaled corticosteroids by asthmatic children increases their risk for oropharyngeal colonization with Staphylococcus pneumoniae almost fourfold, research suggests.

10 Oct 2012

Boston Scientific enters definitive agreement to acquire Rhythmia Medical

Boston Scientific Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held Rhythmia Medical, Inc., a developer of next-generation mapping and navigation solutions for use in cardiac catheter ablations and other electrophysiology procedures, including atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.

9 Oct 2012

VTE risk highlighted for rheumatoid arthritis patients

Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis are at an increased risk for venous thromboembolism, research confirms.

8 Oct 2012

Fertility treatment may increase MS disease activity

Findings published in Annals of Neurology suggest that assisted reproduction technology treatment increases multiple sclerosis disease activity.

8 Oct 2012

Pesticide exposure may trigger food allergies

Results from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey suggest that high exposure to dichlorophenols, chemicals found in pesticides and used for chlorinating water, may increase a person’s risk for developing food allergies.

5 Oct 2012

Myocardial infarction mortality rates decrease by 44% over the last 15 years in Argentina

Mortality caused by myocardial infarction has decreased by 44% over the last 15 years in Argentina, according to new research which will be presented during the 38th Argentine Congress of Cardiology.

5 Oct 2012

RNA clue to MS disease course

Researchers say that the RNA profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells can identify two distinct subsets of patients with multiple sclerosis.

4 Oct 2012

Cleaning-product-related asthma concern for hospital workers

Research suggests that exposure to cleaning products, particularly those containing decalcifiers and ammonia, may increase the risk for asthma in female hospital workers.

3 Oct 2012

Respiratory infections provide urban asthma clue

Urban infants have a different pattern of viral respiratory illness from suburban infants, which could help explain why they are more likely to develop asthma, say US researchers.

2 Oct 2012

Mothers’ CD4 cells ‘remember’ their babies

A breakthrough in understanding a mother’s immune response during pregnancy suggests a new direction for treating autoimmune diseases.

2 Oct 2012

Moderate alcohol intake increases risk of AF in older people with heart disease, diabetes

Moderate alcohol consumption increases the risk of atrial fibrillation in older people with heart disease or advanced diabetes, says a study by McMaster researchers.

2 Oct 2012

Incidence of esophageal, stomach cancers increased in AIDS

The risk for esophageal and stomach carcinomas, as well as non-Hodgkin lymphomas, is significantly increased in people with AIDS, although the incidence of lymphomas has decreased, the results of a US and UK study reveal.

1 Oct 2012

Coding the way to better occupational allergy care

The 11th draft of the International Classification of Diseases, due to be released in 2015, will allow a much more detailed specification of occupational allergy and contact dermatitis than the current draft, say dermatologists involved in the revision.

1 Oct 2012