Stereotactic non-invasive ablation for atrial fibrillation is here! Matter of time before it is widely available. Article link here.
Category: arrhythmias
afib and alzheimer’s
Relationship between AFIB and dementia is strong but a recent study looking at pooled data showed correlation between AFIB and Alzheimer’s disease. Retrospective studies but good pooled data: Six studies, 56,370 patients , hazard ratio of 1.3 (meaning if you have AFIB you are 1.3 times more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease). Treating AFIB is…
ablation without lifestyle changes
Performing AFIB ablation (substitute any medical intervention for a lifestyle induced disease process here) on a patient without them incorporating lifestyle changes is like the video below. Think about it.
AI predicts AFIB
I had to be sitting down to read this one. This is a HUGE development in the field of AFIB, probably the most important one of 2019! Basically, by looking at sinus (normal) rhythm ECGs, artificial intelligence algorithms were able to predict future occurrence of AFIB with sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy of 79%. This…
best compliment ever
As a physician one is used to getting compliments from patients when things go according to plan. A few weeks ago, I was floored and humbled by a unique compliment I received from Dave Remington (posted with his permission). He told me “the best thing that happened to me is that my ablation did not…
causes of death in the US
If you are interested in the full article it is here.
sober curious
I like the term. I am going to ask my AFIB patients to be sober curious. Sober curious as a concept started gaining popularity with the book by Ruby Warrington. Non alcoholic drinks, raves and bars are now the in-thing. Dry January as a concept is catching on in the US and UK. “Alcohol Change“,…
AFIB & dementia
There is a strong correlation between AFIB and dementia. Prevalence of AFIB and dementia are both increasing with aging population. There have been several meta-analyses looking dementia in patients with AFIB. Study by Kwok in Neurology – 46.637 patients – twice the risk of dementia in patients with AFIB. Study by Santangeli in Heart Rhythm…
anxiety & AFIB
This quote is not meant to be funny. This is the truth of atrial fibrillation for most symptomatic patients. Early in the course of atrial fibrillation, most patients are anxious. I tell them “the paradox of AFIB is that the more you have it, the less it bothers you (most people)”. Anxiety increases risk of…
endurance exercise & AFIB
MODERATION Endurance exercise is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. I have observed this effect since I started practice in Boulder 15 y ago. I have spent hours with my patients, discussing the role of moderation in exercise. Here is data to support this recommendation. Meden Agan The temple of Apollo at Delphi bore the inscription Meden Agan (μηδὲν…