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.

Four major health institutions jointly receive $7 million for health data research network

Four major health institutions, including Penn State College of Medicine, have jointly received nearly $7 million to develop and expand a health data research network.

30 Jul 2014

Monitoring pulse regularly after stroke helps prevent next stroke

New research suggests that regularly monitoring your pulse after a stroke or the pulse of a loved one who has experienced a stroke may be a simple and effective first step in detecting irregular heartbeat, a major cause of having a second stroke.

24 Jul 2014

Rates of stroke incidence, subsequent death decrease among black and white U.S. adults

In a study that included a large sample of black and white U.S. adults from several communities, rates of stroke incidence and subsequent death decreased from 1987 to 2011, with decreases varying across age-groups, according to a study in the July 16 issue of JAMA.

16 Jul 2014

New evidence for painless AF treatment to be presented at FCVB 2014

The first evidence for a shockless treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) will be presented today at Frontiers in CardioVascular Biology (FCVB) 2014 in Barcelona, Spain. T

4 Jul 2014

Use of catheter ablation lowers risk for atrial fibrillation

Use of catheter ablation is not only beneficial for treating atrial flutter but also can significantly reduce hospital visits - both inpatient and emergency - and lower the risk for atrial fibrillation, according to research by UC San Francisco.

1 Jul 2014

FDA accepts Pharmacyclics' IMBRUVICA sNDA for review

Pharmacyclics, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has accepted for filing its supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) to support the review of IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) in the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) who have received at least one prior therapy for a full approval.

9 Jun 2014

European Commission approves Boehringer Ingelheim's Pradaxa for prevention of DVT and PE

Boehringer Ingelheim today announces that Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) has been approved by the European Commission for the treatment and prevention of recurrence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

6 Jun 2014

FCVB 2014 to feature cutting edge research in basic cardiovascular science

Cutting edge research in basic cardiovascular science will be presented at Frontiers in CardioVascular Biology (FCVB) 2014, held 4-6 July at the Palau de Congressos de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.

5 Jun 2014

ARIAD reports data from Iclusig Phase 2 trial in adult patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced, for the first time, data from its Phase 2 trial of Iclusig (ponatinib) in adult patients with refractory metastatic and/or unresectable gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

2 Jun 2014

iRhythm Technologies closes $17 million Series E financing

iRhythm Technologies, Inc., a healthcare information services company, today announced that it closed a $17 million Series E financing led by Novo A/S, a global life science investment firm.

22 May 2014

Study shows rise in hospital admissions for CVD during Greek financial crisis

Hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases increased during the Greek financial crisis, according to two studies from Athens. The research was presented today at the Heart Failure Congress 2014, held 17-20 May in Athens, Greece.

19 May 2014

AFib patients who are on blood thinning medications are at higher risk of developing dementia

A new study by researchers at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute in Salt Lake City has found that atrial fibrillation patients who are on blood thinning medications are at higher risk of developing dementia if their doses are not in the optimal recommended range.

12 May 2014

New research finds positive correlation between bariatric surgery and reduced risk of atrial fibrillation

New research has found that bariatric surgery is an effective way to control weight in morbidly obese patients who are at risk for developing atrial fibrillation (AF).

9 May 2014

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