In a study from Healey et al, a cohort of 2580 patients with pacemakers or defibrillators were monitored for 3 months to detect subclinical atrial tachyarrhythmias. Patients with subclinical atrial tachyarrhythmias had a significantly increased risk of subsequent ischemic stroke. Atrial fibrillation may be asymptomatic and consequently subclinical. Epidemiologic studies indicate that many patients with atrial fibrillation… Read More…
The latest article in our Clinical Therapeutics series begins with a 59-year-old man who presents with a recurrent episode of symptomatic atrial fibrillation despite attempts to maintain sinus rhythm with antiarrhythmic drugs. Catheter ablation can be effective in such patients, but more than one procedure may be necessary. Atrial fibrillation affects up to 5 million… Read More…
To get some protection against stroke in atrial fibrillation, we, along with our patients have been living with the hassles of warfarin, because we have to. But warfarin may not be our only choice for much longer. In this week’s NEJM, the Apixaban for Reduction in Stroke and Other Thromboembolic Events in Atrial Fibrillation (ARISTOTLE)… Read More…
In the ROCKET-AF trial, 14,264 patients with atrial fibrillation were randomly assigned to receive either rivaroxaban or warfarin. In a perprotocol, as-treated analysis, rivaroxaban was noninferior to warfarin with respect to the primary end point of stroke or systemic embolism. The use of vitamin K antagonists is highly effective for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular… Read More…
