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.

Heart rhythm disorder may increase death risk in motor vehicle accident victims

A study in nearly three million motor vehicle accident victims has found that atrial fibrillation is associated with a higher risk of death.

13 Jun 2016

Air pollution becomes leading risk factor for stroke worldwide

Air pollution – including environmental and household air pollution - has emerged as a leading risk factor for stroke worldwide, associated with about a third of the global burden of stroke in 2013, according to a new study published in The Lancet Neurology journal.

13 Jun 2016

Individual patient meta-analysis supports tPA stroke benefits

The benefits of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator outweigh the risks in acute stroke patients treated within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, reports the Stroke Thrombolysis Trialists' Collaboration.

12 Jun 2016

Women more likely to be hospitalised for acute ischaemic stroke than men, say researchers

A 15 year study in 1.1 million patients with atrial fibrillation has found that women are 23% more likely to be hospitalised for acute ischaemic stroke than men. The research was presented today at CARDIOSTIM - EHRA EUROPACE 2016 by Dr Ghanshyam Shantha, a cardiovascular disease fellow at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, US.

10 Jun 2016

Prolonged exposure to EAS systems can affect health of cardiac device patients

Electronic anti-theft systems still post a threat to cardiac device patients, according to research presented today at CARDIOSTIM - EHRA EUROPACE 2016 by Professor Robert Stevenson, senior scientist at Greatbatch Medical in Santa Clarita, California, US.

8 Jun 2016

TAVI matches SAVR for early and midterm mortality

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation has similar early and midterm mortality to surgical aortic valve replacement in patients with aortic stenosis, including those at low to intermediate risk, show results of a systematic review and meta-analysis.

8 Jun 2016

Pioneering deck of cards created to support AF diagnosis and management in primary care

A pioneering deck of cards created to support the diagnosis and management of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) in primary care is this week being launched across the North East and North Cumbria.

7 Jun 2016

Research shows weekend admissions in NHS hospital can affect AF patients

Patients suffering from the most common form of heart rhythm disorder who are admitted to NHS hospital over the weekend face a higher risk of dying over the next five years than those admitted during normal hours.

7 Jun 2016

Misuse of anabolic steroids may increase heart problems in ARVC patients

Research has already shown that taking anabolic steroids is associated with high blood pressure and an increased risk of developing heart conditions such as left ventricular hypertrophy.

6 Jun 2016

Women undergoing breast cancer treatment are not getting recommended follow-up heart scans

Despite the known toxic effects of chemotherapy on the heart, the majority of women undergoing breast cancer treatment are not getting the recommended follow-up heart scans, according to research presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference in Manchester today.

6 Jun 2016

CMR could offer complete imaging solution before pulmonary vein isolation

Cardiac magnetic resonance can potentially be used to detect thrombi at the same time as being used for pulmonary venous anatomy mapping, say researchers

4 Jun 2016

Just one stroke risk factor signals anticoagulation need in AF

The risk of stroke or systemic embolism is significantly increased in atrial fibrillation patients with just one risk factor apart from gender, say researchers.

2 Jun 2016

Women less likely to receive good anticoagulant therapy for AF-related stroke, say researchers

Female atrial fibrillation patients are less likely than their male counterparts to receive blood thinning therapies to prevent stroke, say University of Cincinnati College of Medicine researchers.

1 Jun 2016

Demand for Isansys’ Patient Status Engine wireless patient monitoring platform exceeds expectations

Demand for real-time continuous data, including personal health information, early warning scores, and alerting when a patient's condition is deteriorating, is driving the market for complete monitoring systems in hospital and home care settings globally.

From Isansys Lifecare Ltd. 1 Jun 2016

Need for standardised guidelines to fight Alzheimer's disease

Some 47 million people worldwide suffer from some form of dementia. Scientists are working feverishly to find a cure for the most common form, Alzheimer's. At the Congress of the European Academy of Neurology in Copenhagen, Prof Gunhild Waldemar issued an appeal for researchers to work together and draw up standardised guidelines for early identification and treatment of the disease.

31 May 2016

Trial results underestimate anticoagulant bleeding risk

A study in The BMJ demonstrates that estimates of major bleeding risk in patients taking anticoagulants in clinical trials are unlikely to reflect the reality of clinical practice.

28 May 2016

AF linked to increased cancer risk in women

Women with new-onset atrial fibrillation have a significantly increased cancer risk for at least 1 year after AF diagnosis, an analysis of Women's Health Study data shows.

27 May 2016

UPMC study gives better understanding of cardiac arrhythmia following lung transplantation

Cardiac arrhythmia is a common complication following lung transplantation, and one that has a significant negative impact on long-term patient survival, reports a team of UPMC researchers in the largest study of its kind to date.

27 May 2016

AF-related symptoms and quality of life worse in women

Women with atrial fibrillation experience more severe symptoms, a lower quality of life and a higher risk of stroke than men, but they have better overall survival, US study data show.

24 May 2016

Study explores incidence of heart failure following myocardial infarction

One in four patients develop heart failure within four years of a first heart attack, according to a study in nearly 25 000 patients presented today at Heart Failure 2016 and the 3rd World Congress on Acute Heart Failure by Dr Johannes Gho, a cardiology resident at the University Medical Center Utrecht, in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

24 May 2016