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.

Allergy transmission may be gender specific

Parents with allergies are more likely to pass them on to their same gender children than to children of the opposite gender, say researchers.

17 Aug 2012

HRT linked to ulcerative colitis in postmenopausal women

Taking postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy increases the risk for ulcerative colitis, but not Crohn’s disease, a study shows.

17 Aug 2012

HAS-BLED proves predictive ability

Researchers say that the HAS-BLED score is a significant predictor for intracranial hemorrhage when compared with the HEMORR2HAGES and ATRIA scores, supporting international guideline recommendations.

14 Aug 2012

Biosense Webster launches new CARTO 3 Multi-Electrode Mapping Version

Biosense Webster, Inc., a worldwide leader in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, announced the launch of the new CARTO 3 MEM (Multi-Electrode Mapping) Version in the United States.

13 Aug 2012

Thyroid disease common in vitiligo patients

Results from a systematic review and meta analysis suggest that thyroid disease is a common comorbidity in people with vitiligo.

10 Aug 2012

Allergies appear to lower brain tumor risk

Testing positive for immunoglobulin E, a biomarker of allergy, reduces a person’s risk for developing glioma, show study findings.

10 Aug 2012

Healthcare professionals receive SingHealth Duke-NUS Scientific Congress abstract awards

Results of the highly anticipated Best Oral Presentation and Best Poster Awards were announced at SingHealth Duke-NUS Scientific Congress 2012, held on 3 and 4 August 2012 at the Raffles City Convention Centre.

8 Aug 2012

Vorinostat drives HIV from hiding

The addition of vorinostat to current antiretroviral therapy regimens can potentially help to eradicate hidden pockets of dormant human immunodeficiency virus, according to study results published in Nature.

6 Aug 2012

‘Chicken Wing’ clue to stroke risk in atrial fibrillation

Patients with atrial fibrillation who have a Chicken Wing left atrial appendage morphology are less likely to have a stroke than those with other morphologies, research suggests.

6 Aug 2012

Allergy alerts in patient records help improve clinical practice

Allergy alerts in patient records have the potential to significantly improve clinical practice, say Spanish researchers.

3 Aug 2012

Novel integrase inhibitor dolutegravir shows promise for HIV-1 treatment

The once-daily integrase inhibitor dolutegravir has shown promise in a phase III noninferiority study comparing it with twice-daily raltegravir for treatment of HIV-1, indicate study results presented at the 19th International AIDS Conference in Washington DC, USA.

3 Aug 2012

3D scanner can identify early foot deformity in RA patients

Researchers report that a digital 3D foot scanner can detect foot deformities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, even before clinical signs are present.

2 Aug 2012

Allergy and asthma linked to the air pupils breathe

Poor air quality inside classrooms could play a role in the development of asthma and allergies in children, the results of a French study show.

31 Jul 2012

HPV co-testing prospect for HIV-infected women

The risk for cervical precancer and cancer is similar in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women with normal cervical cytology and no evidence of oncogenic human papillomavirus infection, research shows.

30 Jul 2012

Steak and ticks: A potentially life-threatening experience

Tick bites can trigger a severe, delayed allergic reaction to red meat, suggest findings published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

27 Jul 2012

Long-term interferon beta benefits unclear in MS

A large “real-world” study fails to show reduced disability progression in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis given interferon beta.

26 Jul 2012

ANCA-associated vasculitis not a single clinical entity

Study findings show distinct subtypes of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis, distinguished by the target of autoantigen reactivity.

25 Jul 2012

Study uses photodynamic therapy to ablate cardiac myocytes responsible for arrhythmias

University of Michigan heart researchers are shedding light on a safer method for steadying an abnormal heart rhythm that prevents collateral damage to healthy cells.

25 Jul 2012

Oral immunotherapy hope for egg allergy in children

Oral immunotherapy for the treatment of egg allergy results in desensitization with long-lasting results in three-quarters of children, show study findings.

23 Jul 2012

AF deaths more likely on the weekend

In-hospital mortality rates for patients who have atrial fibrillation are significantly higher on the weekend than on weekdays, show US study results.

23 Jul 2012