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.

Enrollment commences in Estech's HISTORIC-AF staged hybrid ablation study

Estech, a leader in minimally invasive cardiac surgery, announced today that the first three patients have been enrolled in the HISTORIC-AF European multi-center staged hybrid ablation clinical study.

5 Dec 2011

The Lipitor story: Drug companies brace for losses as patents expire on this and other popular medications

News outlets analyze the impact that generic Lipitor could have on costs and the "era of 'blockbuster drugs'" as well as the strategies from Lipitor's maker to block its generic competitors. Meanwhile, some of these generics are already reaching the marketplace.

2 Dec 2011

FDA assigns priority-review designation for ELIQUIS NDA for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and Pfizer Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review a New Drug Application (NDA) for ELIQUIS® (apixaban), an investigational compound for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation.

29 Nov 2011

Imaging is about finding the most appropriate way to assess heart disease

"The idea is that we're using the most appropriate technology to address individual clinical questions rather than just focusing on one technique," explains EAE President Dr Luigi Badano, from the University of Padua, Italy.

23 Nov 2011

CWRU receives NHLBI grant to study sleep apnea as possible cause of AF

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has received a $3.8 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to study sleep apnea as a possible cause of atrial fibrillation (AF), the most commonly diagnosed type of arrhythmia, or irregular heart rhythm.

22 Nov 2011

ChanRx to evaluate AFIB drug, vanoxerine with closed Series A funding

ChanRx is developing a superior drug for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AFIB), and has closed its Series A funding with investments from Sante Ventures and company founder, Dr. Arthur "Buzz" Brown. The company, a spin out of Cleveland-based ChanTest, will use the funding to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of its proprietary AFIB drug, vanoxerine.

21 Nov 2011

Vitamin D and its good and bad effects on the heart

Vitamin D in excess may not be beneficial and may even harm the heart says a new study. Scientists have long known that low levels of the nutrient can hurt the heart, but new research shows that higher than normal levels can make it beat too fast and out of rhythm, a condition called atrial fibrillation. The study was presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association.

17 Nov 2011

Drug-coated balloon restores blood flow in narrowed bare metal stent

A drug-coated balloon inserted in a narrowed bare metal stent is a promising therapy for restoring blood flow, according to research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2011.

17 Nov 2011

Excessive vitamin D levels can lead to onset of AF

While previous studies have linked vitamin D deficiency to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, new research at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute shows that too much vitamin D can lead to the onset of a dangerous heart condition known as atrial fibrillation.

16 Nov 2011

Xarelto (rivaroxaban) shows success as blood thinner in acute coronary syndrome

A new anti-blood clotting drug – Xarelto (rivaroxaban) has shown clinical success. It may help people with “acute coronary syndrome” lower their risk of death, subsequent heart attack or stroke, a new study finds. Acute coronary syndrome is term that includes people with angina or prior history of heart attack.

15 Nov 2011

Bayer and J&J’s blood thinner drug triumphs at late phase clinical trial

Drug makers Bayer AG and Johnson & Johnson’s new blood clot preventing drug can provide life-saving benefits at very low doses in patients who suffer from acute coronary syndrome finds a new clinical trial.

14 Nov 2011

Demand for non-drug intervention for atrial fibrillation will remain, despite FDA PVAC decision

According to Millennium Research Group (MRG), the global authority on medical technology market intelligence, the search for an improved method of treating atrial fibrillation (AF) will be unaffected by the recent mixed decision by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel on Medtronic's phased radiofrequency (RF) pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC).

From Medtronic 14 Nov 2011

New-onset AF, severe sepsis may increase risk of stroke and mortality in hospital settings

A recent study led by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) shows an increased risk of stroke and mortality among patients diagnosed with severe sepsis and new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) during hospitalization.

14 Nov 2011

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is consistent with survival to normal life expectancy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is consistent with survival to normal life expectancy, including particularly advanced age into the tenth decade of life, with demise ultimately largely unrelated to this disease, according to a study being presented Nov. 13 at the American Heart Association (AHA) scientific sessions in Orlando, Fla.

14 Nov 2011

Stroke warning signs need more urgent attention

Patients who suffer stroke-like attacks can have mortality rates 20 per cent higher than the general population, new research finds, leading to calls for better stroke prevention strategies for those who experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA).

10 Nov 2011

CardioNet third quarter revenue decreases 3.2% to $26.6 million

CardioNet, Inc., a leading wireless medical technology company with a current focus on the diagnosis and monitoring of cardiac arrhythmias, today reported results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011.

8 Nov 2011

Janssen receives FDA approval for Xarelto to prevent stroke in people with AF

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the anti-clotting drug Xarelto (rivaroxaban) to reduce the risk of stroke in people who have abnormal heart rhythm.

5 Nov 2011

Dementia people with stroke more likely to become disabled and not return home

New research shows people with dementia who have a stroke are more likely to become disabled and not return home compared to people who didn't have dementia at the time they had a stroke.

1 Nov 2011

Medtronic’s atrial fibrillation device fails to impress safety panel

The US health advisers rejected a Medtronic Inc. device for treating atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder that is a major cause of stroke, citing risks to safety. The panel voted 8-2 that risks of device outweigh benefits of the Medtronic Cardiac Ablation System especially given the high number of strokes among patients who got the device during clinical trials.

From Medtronic 30 Oct 2011

FDA's advisory panel votes against approval of Medtronic Phased RF Ablation System

Medtronic, Inc. today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Circulatory Systems Devices advisory panel voted against the Medtronic Phased RF Ablation System, the first atrial fibrillation ablation therapy under investigation for the treatment of persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation.

28 Oct 2011