There’s a new pacemaker, called the “Eluna” pacemaker. This pacemaker combines pacemaker technology with monitoring technologies to offer patients better care. With unique event-triggered IEGM transmissions, the new BIOTRONIK pacemaker series innovates advanced patient monitoring and allows physicians to receive an IEGM along with a notification if atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs. By notifying physicians of clinical events quickly and reliably, patient therapy can be adapted at the earliest stage possible, preventing the worsening of a patient’s condition and the occurrence […]
READ MOREAlcohol Injections During RF Catheter Ablation Helps Treat Atrial Fibrillation
98% ethanol looks like it may be an effective chemical ablation agent. In fact, a few judicious alcohol injections in the right place seemed to be far more effective than standard surgery alone. Of course, this is a new treatment, and long-term outcomes have not been determined. It is promising to note that the injection does not appear to significantly raise blood-alcohol concentrations. Doctors in the U.S. and Japan have devised a way to treat atrial fibrillation by adding a […]
READ MOREFDA Approves Thermocool Smarttouch Ablation Catheter
New a-fib procedures are coming out constantly. The FDA recently approved a new one: the Thermacool Smarttouch ablation catheter. This procedure is important because it lets doctors measure the amount of “contact force” that’s taking place during a catheter procedure. This is important because if a doctor applies too much force to the heart wall while performing the ablation they can do additional damage to the heart. This additional damage can have a big impact on whether the patient will […]
READ MOREIs a Pradaxa Antidote Around The Corner?
In a previous post I wrote about the pros and cons of Pradaxa and Warfarin/Coumadin, two popular blood thinners available today for those with atrial fibrillation. One of the major drawbacks to Pradaxa is the fact that there is no antidote to stop excessive bleeding while on it. Unlike Warfarin, if you experience excessive bleeding from Pradaxa, there is no way to stop it. The blood thinning effects of Warfarin can be quickly reversed so if someone on Warfarin starts […]
READ MOREPradaxa vs Coumadin (Warfarin): Which Is Better for Afib Patients?
There are two dangers that Afib patients face every day: the danger of blood clotting, and the danger of strokes. For the time being, the best way to prevent both of these conditions is through the use of blood thinners. In 1954, the blood thinner Warfarin (also known under the popular brand name Coumadin) became an approved medication. Yet it was initially introduced as a pesticide that targeted rats and mice. It’s actually still used for this purpose every day. […]
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