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.

Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital docs implanted smallest heart pacemaker in Columbus woman

It's about the size of a large vitamin pill and, for the first time in Ohio, the smallest heart pacemaker available is being tested at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

From Medtronic 2 May 2014

Study finds disparities in diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of AF between black and white patients

Atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition where the heartbeat speeds up or becomes irregular, is not usually life-threatening but can lead to complications such as stroke and heart failure. Even though minorities historically have more risk factors for AF, they represent a smaller number of those diagnosed.

30 Apr 2014

Armetheon reaches agreement with FDA on SPA for final pivotal trial of tecarfarin

Armetheon, Inc., today announced that it has reached agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) for the final pivotal trial of tecarfarin.

29 Apr 2014

Junk DNA linked to heart failure, reveals Washington University study

Large sections of the genome that were once referred to as "junk" DNA have been linked to human heart failure, according to research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

26 Apr 2014

ARCA biopharma announces genetic screening of first patient in GENETIC-AF Phase 2B/3 clinical trial

ARCA biopharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing genetically targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases, today announced that the first patient has been genetically screened in GENETIC-AF, its Phase 2B/3 adaptive design clinical trial.

From Medtronic 18 Apr 2014

St. Jude Medical's net sales increase 2% in first quarter 2014

St. Jude Medical, Inc. today reported sales and net earnings for the first quarter ended March 29, 2014.

16 Apr 2014

Johnson & Johnson's sales increase 3.5% to $18.1 billion in first quarter 2014

Johnson & Johnson today announced sales of $18.1 billion for the first quarter of 2014, an increase of 3.5% as compared to the first quarter of 2013. Operational results increased 5.3% and the negative impact of currency was 1.8%. Domestic sales increased 2.2%. International sales increased 4.5%, reflecting operational growth of 7.9% and a negative currency impact of 3.4%.

15 Apr 2014

Janssen submits supplemental New Drug Application for IMBRUVICA to the U.S. FDA

Janssen Research & Development, LLC ("Janssen") today announced the submission of a supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for IMBRUVICA™ (ibrutinib) to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by its collaboration partner Pharmacyclics, Inc.

8 Apr 2014

Pradaxa receives FDA approval for treatment and reduction of risk of recurrence of DVT and PE

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate mesylate) for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients who have been treated with a parenteral anticoagulant for five to 10 days, and to reduce the risk of recurrent DVT and PE in patients who have been previously treated. DVT and PE are collectively referred to as venous thromboembolism (VTE).

8 Apr 2014

Interarm blood pressure measurement advised for diabetic patients

Initial blood pressure measurements in patients with diabetes should be taken from both arms, say researchers.

7 Apr 2014

Nurses guide patients into trance during procedure

Visualising a safe place reduces operative pain, according to research presented today at EuroHeartCare 2014. Nurses guided patients into a trance and found it helped patients cope with pain and anxiety during ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF).

7 Apr 2014

Enrollment commences for Daiichi Sankyo's ENSURE-AF multinational phase 3 study in NVAF patients

Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited today announced that it has started enrolling patients into the ENSURE-AF multinational phase 3 study, which will evaluate the efficacy and safety of its investigational oral, once-daily direct factor Xa-inhibitor edoxaban compared to enoxaparin/warfarin for the prevention of stroke and other blood clot complications in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) undergoing electrical cardioversion (low-energy shocks to trigger normal heart rhythm).

31 Mar 2014

Poor blood pressure control increases stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation

Poor blood pressure control among patients with atrial fibrillation is associated with a 50-percent increased risk of stroke, according to an analysis presented by Duke Medicine researchers.

31 Mar 2014

Cardiome signs deal with VIANEX to commercialize and distribute BRINAVESS in Greece

Cardiome Pharma Corp. today announced that Cardiome International A.G., a subsidiary of Cardiome Pharma Corp., has entered into an agreement with VIANEX, S.A., headquartered in Erythrea, Greece, for the commercialization and distribution of BRINAVESS™ (vernakalant IV) in Greece.

28 Mar 2014

American College of Cardiology honors two Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute researchers

Two Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute physician-researchers have been named recipients of prestigious awards from the American College of Cardiology.

28 Mar 2014

FDA approves Allure Quadra Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Pacemaker

St. Jude Medical, Inc., a global medical device company, today announced approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the Allure Quadra™ Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Pacemaker (CRT-P), which provides additional pacing innovations for physicians to treat patients with heart failure.

24 Mar 2014

Consuming alcohol several times a week 'ups' risk of stroke mortality

Consuming alcohol more frequently than twice a week increases the risk of stroke mortality in men, according to a study carried out at the University of Eastern Finland. The results show that the effects of alcohol are not limited to the amount consumed, but also the frequency of drinking matters. The results were published in Acta Neurologica Scandinavica on 8 March.

19 Mar 2014

New case study reveals how to safely switch between anticoagulants for stroke prevention

With the availability of newer oral anticoagulants, the latest online case study from NPS MedicineWise helps health professionals navigate this changing area and understand the range of treatment options for managing stroke prevention in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

18 Mar 2014

Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer announce FDA approval of Eliquis for DVT prophylaxis

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Pfizer Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Eliquis (apixaban) for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery.

16 Mar 2014

Respicardia receives Best Innovation of 2014 award from CRT and CV Pipeline for remedē System

Respicardia, Inc., a developer of implantable therapies to improve respiratory and cardiovascular health, announced that it has been awarded the Best Innovation of 2014 from Cardiovascular Research Technologies (CRT) and CV Pipeline for the remedē System, the first and only implantable device for the treatment of central sleep apnea.

12 Mar 2014