Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a tricky heart condition that can cause strokes. Doctors have been trying to figure out the best ways to spot it early. They've been looking at different studies to see how well screening works. One big issue is that not everyone shows up for these tests. Some people might skip it because they don't feel sick, or they might not know a...
In Brazil, doctors are using a cool procedure called catheter ablation to fix a heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AF). This method has come a long way, but there isn't much information on how well it works in the long term, especially in places where money isn't easy to come by. The Southern Brazilian Registry of Atrial Fibrillation (SBR-AF Registry) is try...
In the UK, interesting patterns emerge when we look at who gets atrial fibrillation (AF), a common heart rhythm disorder. Unlike in the US, where white people are more likely to have AF but less likely to have AF-related strokes, the UK's healthcare system might paint a different picture. The UK's socialized medicine aims to provide fair access to care for everyone, ...
Imagine a study comparing two popular heart health supplements: icosapent ethyl (IPE) and mixed omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (OM-3). The REDUCE-IT trial had already shown that IPE could lower the risk of heart disease, but it also hinted at some possible safety issues like atrial fibrillation (AF) and severe bleeding. So, what happens in the real world? Resear...
Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is making waves in the medical world, especially when it comes to treating atrial fibrillation (AF). This advanced technique helps doctors navigate catheters more precisely and reduces radiation exposure during a procedure called radio-frequency catheter ablation (RFCA). A recent study looked at 227 AF patients who underwent either...
When doctors use radiofrequency (RF) energy to treat atrial fibrillation in the left atrium, they face an unusual challenge: preventing burns in the nearby esophagus. New catheters can now deliver high wattages up to 90W for short bursts, a technique known as very high-power short duration (vHPSD) ablation. However, adjusting power and duration doesn't eliminate the ...
Let's talk about atrial fibrillation (AF), a heart condition affecting around 10. 55 million adults in the US. Why should we care? Well, AF doesn't just make your heart beat irregularly; it also puts you at a much higher risk for serious health issues like strokes, heart failure, heart attacks, dementia, kidney disease, and even death. Imagine your heart is like a w...
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a tricky heart condition that keeps getting worse, even with the latest treatments like ablation. Doctors have tried to stop it by targeting inflammation and fibrosis, but those methods haven't worked out. Recently, scientists have found new cellular and metabolic stress targets that could help. They've discovered that lifestyle changes an...
Ever felt like your medicine isn't working as well as it should? For folks with atrial fibrillation (AF), taking their oral anticoagulant, Edoxaban, just right is super important to keep strokes away. A smartphone app called ADHERE is now being tested to help patients stay on track with their meds. This trial, known as the ADHERE-App Trial, is checking out if this ap...