AF

Is Routine Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) Needed Before Atrial Fibrillation Ablation in Patients Treated with Uninterrupted Direct Oral Anticoagulation for At Least 3 Weeks?

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What do the guidelines say? The 2017 AF guidelines give a Class IIa recommendation for performing a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) for patients with AF undergoing ablation who are in AF on presentation, even if they have been receiving therapeutic anticoagulation for 3 weeks or longer1. However, the more recent 2020 European College of Cardiology AF … Read more

Management of Stroke Patients: A One Man Show or A Tag-Team?

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Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases risk of stroke up to 5 folds, resulting in considerable physical, cognitive impairment and high mortality1. Thus, AF related strokes are very expensive to treat compared to non-AF strokes2. Oral anticoagulation is a well-established therapy in the majority of stroke cases3. Warfarin reduces the risk of stroke by 64% and mortality … Read more

The Future of Wearable Technology & Detecting Atrial Fibrillation at AHA18

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Like many of us, I have several family members who experience atrial fibrillation (AFib) regularly, as between 2-6 million people in the United States have this disorder. My father-in-law in particular has experienced difficultly with AFib recently and because he knows I study the heart, he often asks me about different treatment options and advice … Read more

WATCHMAN: An Alternative to Warfarin for the High Risk Patient

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“Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences” Norman Cousins I recently saw Mr. John Doe for atrial fibrillation (AF). Well into his eighties, he enjoys a good quality of life. This elderly gentleman is mostly unaware of his paroxysms of AF. However, he had also suffered a stroke in the past, and as such was … Read more

Deciphering the CABANA trial and what if anything do the results mean to the management of atrial fibrillation?

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“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” Oscar Wilde “Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.” Aldous Huxley As is apparent from my previous blogs, I am very passionate about atrial fibrillation (AF). Undoubtedly, the most common arrhythmia nationally, and likely worldwide, can cause disabling symptoms, lead to a stroke and … Read more