Worse Clinical Outcomes of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with HFpEF Compared to HFrEF Prognostic implications of atrial fibrillation in heart failure with reduced, mid-range, and preserved ejection fraction: a report from 14 964 patients in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

A multinational prospective cohort study performed by Barak Zafrir et al. and published in the European Heart Journal concluded that worse cardiovascular outcomes of atrial fibrillation (AF) were associated with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with middle range ejection fraction (HFmrEF) but not associated with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Continue reading →

Atrial Fibrillation in a Cancer Setting: Understanding Unmet Needs in Cardio-Oncology Provider Specialty, Anticoagulation, and Stroke Risk in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Cancer

A new study by Neal et al. demonstrated that although patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and cancer were less likely to see a cardiologist or fill anticoagulant prescriptions, cardiology involvement was associated with increased anticoagulant prescription fills and favorable AF-related outcomes. The results of the study were published online in JACC. Continue reading →

Anticoagulant and Antiplatelet Therapy in Stented Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Combining Oral Anticoagulants With Platelet Inhibitors in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Coronary Disease

In an article published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, authored by Caroline Sindet-Pederson, MSc, and colleagues in the Department of Cardiology at Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev and Gentofte in Hellerup, Denmark, evaluating a real-world population of AF patients with MI and/or after PCI, the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) as compared to VKA reduced the risk of bleeding in patients also taking dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). Continue reading →

Apple Watch Series 4 Receives FDA Approval as a Class II Medical Device

The Apple watch series 4 received FDA approval as a class II medical device. Apple claims that the device can detect falls and arrhythmias. It can also record an electrocardiogram (ECG) in 30 seconds “anytime and anywhere,” according to Apple. Continue reading →

Can TTR levels Determine Long-term Prognosis in AFib Patients on Vitamin K Antagonists? Outcomes Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Appropriate Anticoagulation Control

Findings from a Danish nationwide registry conducted among patients with Atrial Fibrillation (AF), initiated on Vitamin K Antagonists (VKA) for stroke prevention between 1997 and 2011, found that almost one-half of patients with prior good level of VKA control (TTR ≥70%) had TTR <70% during the following year. Additionally, those with a prior TTR of ≥70% had a limited long-term prognostic value for stroke, thromboembolism or major bleeding risk, according to the online publication in JACC. Continue reading →

Antithrombotic therapy post TAVR: A double edged sword? ESC 2018: Insights from the French TAVI registry

A multicenter, prospective nation-wide French registry evaluated whether oral anticoagulation therapy was an independent correlate of long-term survival and early bioprosthetic valve dysfunction (BVD) in patients who underwent successful Transcatheter Valve Implantation (TAVI). The French registry was launched in 2007 and involved 11,469 patients with a mean duration follow-up was 495±3.5 days. This registry contained 11 years of data and analyzed patients from January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2015. Continue reading →

Catheter Ablation vs Medical Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation CABANA TRIAL

The CABANA trial has demonstrated that catheter ablation is not superior to medical therapy for cardiovascular (CV) outcomes at 5 years, among patients with new-onset or untreated atrial fibrillation (AF) that require therapy. This was presented by Douglas Packer (Mayo Clinic) at the annual meeting of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) 2018.

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