We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Ablation for AF Reduces Mortality and Stroke

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 09 Jul 2018
Print article
A new study suggests that catheter-based ablation lowers the risk of mortality, ischemic stroke, and hemorrhagic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Researchers at the University of California Davis (UCD; USA) conducted a study to compare stroke and mortality in 4,169 AF patients who underwent ablation and 4,169 matched controls, selected by years of AF diagnosis, age, sex, and being alive the same number of days from the initial AF encounter to the ablation date. Those with valve disease, open maze, other arrhythmias, or implantable devices were excluded. Mortality and ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke were assessed, with adjustment for demographics, prior admissions with AF before the ablation, calendar year, and presence of chronic comorbidities.

The results revealed that while outcomes within 30 days of hospitalization were similar for both groups, long-term benefits of ablation became apparent after 3.6 years or more of follow-up. At that time, 84 patients died in the ablation group, compared to 189 in the control group; 55 patients in the ablation group suffered ischemic stroke, versus 86 in the control group; and 17 patients in the ablation group had hemorrhagic strokes, compared to 53 in the control group. The study was published on June 8, 2018, in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology.

“Ablation is currently only recommended when AF medications don't work, or aren't well tolerated. Less than two percent of patients undergo ablation early in the course of AF, when the procedure can be most beneficial,” said lead author professor of cardiovascular medicine Uma Srivatsa, MD. “Our data supports wider utilization of ablation along with improving the awareness of its benefits. Ablation may be considered as a primary treatment for everyone with the condition.”

Cardiac catheter ablation procedures are used to treat a variety of cardiac arrhythmias, especially supraventricular tachyarrhythmias such as AF, atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia. The procedures involve advancing a catheter into the heart and selectively ablating certain areas of tissue in order to prevent the spread of electrical signals that give rise to the arrhythmia. The procedure is low-risk and usually takes 2-4 hours. It is most often performed in an electrophysiology or a cardiac catheterization lab. It is successful in about 90% of the people who have it.

Related Links:
University of California Davis

Gold Member
STI Test
Vivalytic Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Array
Gold Member
Disposable Protective Suit For Medical Use
Disposable Protective Suit For Medical Use
Silver Member
Compact 14-Day Uninterrupted Holter ECG
NR-314P
New
Vital Signs Monitor
M3/M3A

Print article

Channels

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: The Early Bird Bleed Monitoring System provides visual and audible indicators of the onset and progression of bleeding events (Photo courtesy of Saranas)

Novel Technology Monitors and Lowers Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Heart Procedures

Bleeding complications at the femoral access site can significantly hamper recovery, affecting the success of procedures, patient satisfaction, and overall healthcare costs. It is crucial for surgeons... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The new eye-safe laser technology can diagnose traumatic brain injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Diagnostic Hand-Held Device Detects Known Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury

The growing need for prompt and efficient diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a major cause of mortality globally, has spurred the development of innovative diagnostic technologies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.