Guest Blogger: RAAFT 2 Trial Summary May 19, 2012
Posted by Heart Rhythm Society in Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Science & Research, Scientific Sessions.Tags: Afib, Atrial fibrillation, RAAFT 2 Trial
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Editor’s Note: Guest blogger Aman Chugh, MD provides a summary of the RAAFT 2 trial results, which were presented at the Heart Rhythm Society’s 33rd Annual Scientific Sessions in Boston.
Catheter ablation of symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is a class I indication in a patient who has not responded to or has not tolerated medical therapy with an antiarrhythmic medication. However, antiarrhythmic medications are limited by not only modest efficacy but also by significant adverse effects. (more…)
Guest Blogger: Live Case Sessions Review May 11, 2012
Posted by Heart Rhythm Society in Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Scientific Sessions.Tags: AF, Afib, Atrial fibrillation
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Editor’s Note: Guest blogger Kenneth Ellenbogen, MD, FHRS shares his thoughts on the live case session presented at the Heart Rhythm Society’s 33rd Annual Scientific Sessions.
Yesterday I attended the Live Cases Session at Heart Rhythm 2012 in Boston. The group at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, led by Dr. Gregory Michaud, performed catheter ablation of a patient with paroxysmal/persistent Atrial Fibrillation (AF). (more…)
EP News, Basic and Translational April 5, 2012
Posted by Peng-Sheng Chen, MD, FHRS in Science & Research.Tags: Afib, Atrial fibrillation, Ventricular arrhythmia
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Circadian Variation of Ion Channel Expression
The susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmia or sudden death is determined by the duration (e.g. short or long QT syndromes and heart failure) or pattern (e.g. Brugada syndrome) of ventricular repolarization. It is also known that there is circadian variation of the susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias. However, the molecular mechanism by which the body’s diurnal biological clock controls the circadian variations of repolarization remains unknown. (more…)
HRS Picks: Many Americans in the Dark about Heart Rhythm Disorders March 6, 2012
Posted by Heart Rhythm Society in Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Society News, Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Uncategorized.Tags: AF, Afib, Atrial fibrillation, SCA, Sudden Cardiac Arrest
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In the article below, published on the blog, Be Healthy, Well & Inspired, the Heart Rhythm Society’s omnibus survey results about Americans understanding of heart rhythm disorers are shared with readers. The Society also issued a press release about the results during Heart Health month. (more…)
Support HRS’ Advocacy Efforts- Participate in the Virtual Fly-in February 23, 2012
Posted by Kathleen Blake, MD, MPH, FHRS in Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Health Policy.Tags: AF Resolution, Afib, American Heart Month, Atrial fibrillation, Members of Congress
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The Heart Rhythm Society, in collaboration with other stakeholders, is educating Members of Congress, their staff and the public about heart rhythm disorders. During the American Heart Month, HRS is organizing a virtual fly-in on February 23. We ask HRS members and non-members to email their House Representatives and urge them to co-sponsor the AF Resolution (H. Res. 295). (more…)
Guest Blogger: Boston AF Symposium Highlights January 27, 2012
Posted by Heart Rhythm Society in Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Science & Research.Tags: AF, Afib, Atrial fibrillation, clinical guidelines
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Editor’s Note: Guest blogger Hugh Calkins, MD, FHRS, CCDS is the Heart Rhythm Scientific Sessions Program Committee Chair (2012). He provides a brief overview of the Boston AF Symposium, which took place January 12 – 14, 2012.
This year’s Boston AF Symposium was very well attended, with more than 1,200 participants. I would like to share a few highlights from the meeting: (more…)
EP News: Basic and Translational January 10, 2012
Posted by Peng-Sheng Chen, MD, FHRS in Science & Research.Tags: Arrhythmia, Atrial fibrillation, Genetic testing
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Genetic Testing as a Class I Indication for Patient Care
Gersh et al (Circulation 2011;13:124, PMID 22068435) updated the ACCF/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and treatment of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).
In this updated recommendation for HCM, genetic testing is listed as a Class I recommendation to evaluate patients with HCM. All patients who undergo genetic testing should also undergo genetic counseling. Genetic screening is recommended in first-degree relatives of patients with HCM. In addition, genetic testing is recommended for patients with an atypical clinical presentation of HCM or when another genetic condition is suspected to be the cause. However, the Task Force also played down the importance of using specific mutations to predict the likelihood of sudden cardiac death (SCD). While some earlier works found certain mutations are “malignant,” subsequent studies showed in some instances the rate of adverse events (and prevalence of associated SCD risk markers) was lower in patients with “malignant” mutations than it was in those with mutations believed to be “benign.” (more…)
EP News: Basic and Translational October 6, 2011
Posted by Peng-Sheng Chen, MD, FHRS in Science & Research.Tags: Atrial fibrillation, Defibrillation, Heart Failure
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Defibrillation with High-Frequency Electric Field
Tandri et al (Sci Transl Med 2011;3:102ra96) studied the effects of electrical stimulation on conduction block in cardiac tissues. Electrical stimulation has been applied to nervous tissue to cause reversible conduction block, but has not been explored sufficiently in cardiac tissue.
The authors show that reversible propagation block can be achieved in cardiac tissue by holding myocardial cells in a refractory state for a designated period of time by applying a sustained sinusoidal high-frequency alternating current (HFAC). In doing so, reentrant arrhythmias are terminated.
Guest Blogger: Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke – Education for the Public September 28, 2011
Posted by Heart Rhythm Society in Atrial Fibrillation (AF), Education.Tags: AF, Afib, Atrial fibrillation, CHADS2 score, Stroke, Warfarin
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Editor’s Note: Guest blogger Aman Chugh, MD, is an assistant professor in the Division of Cardiology, University of Michigan. In his post, he aims to educate the public about atrial fibrillation and its relation to stroke.
Although atrial fibrillation (AF) is usually not a life threatening arrhythmia, it may still result in significant morbidity. It is a major cause of stroke, accounting for approximately 20% of all strokes. (more…)
HRS Update: FDA Issues Alert on the Heart Drug Multaq (dronedarone) July 22, 2011
Posted by Heart Rhythm Society in EP Physicians, Science & Research.Tags: AF, Afib, Atrial fibrillation, Clinical trials, Dronedarone, Multaq, PALLAS Study
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing data from the Permanent Atrial Fibrillation Outcome Study Using Dronedarone on Top of Standard Therapy (PALLAS) study that was evaluating the effects of the antiarrhythmic drug Multaq (dronedarone) in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation. (more…)
Heart Rhythm Society
Laurie Racenet, RN, MSN, ANP
Michael Giudici, MD, FACC, FACP, FHRS
Heather M. Ross, DNP, ANP-BC, CCDS, CEPS, FHRS
Anne Dubin, MD, FHRS
John D. Day, MD, FHRS
Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS
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Ariana Del Negro, Heart Rhythm 2010 Quality
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Ann C. Garlitski, MD, FACC, FHRS
Alan Cheng, MD, FHRS
Ulrika Birgersdotter-Green, MD
Christopher Clyne, MD, FHRS
Kathleen Blake, MD, MPH, FHRS
David Scher, MD, FHRS
Sanjay Deshpande, MD, FHRS
Thomas F. Deering, MD, FHRS
