February 25th, 2014
FDA Approves New Catheter for Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
Larry Husten, PHD
The FDA has granted marketing approval for the Thermocool Smarttouch ablation catheter for use in patients with drug-resistant paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), sustained monomorphic ischemic ventricular tachycardia, and type I atrial flutter. The device is manufactured by Biosense Webster, a Johnson & Johnson company. The device, according to the company, “is the first therapeutic catheter approved in the […]
October 30th, 2012
Ablation for Treatment-Naive A-Fib Patients?
CardioExchange Editors, Staff
Younger, healthier treatment-naive patients with a-fib can be offered initial ablation therapy, although drug therapy remains the default, according to the authors of this recent study in the NEJM.
April 16th, 2012
The Audible
Shengshou Hu, M.D.
Every electrophysiologist knows there are a million things that can be done for patients with atrial fibrillation. But sometimes not doing an invasive procedure is the best choice.
October 10th, 2011
TTOP-AF Trial Proves Efficacy of RF Ablation System, But Not Safety
Larry Husten, PHD
A new trial demonstrates that an investigational RF ablation system is more effective than medical management in treating persistent AF, but the trial failed to meet a key predefined safety goal. At the Venice Arrhythmias 2011 conference, Lucas Boersma presented the results of the TTOP-AF (Tailored Treatment of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation) trial, in which 210 patients […]
December 17th, 2010
FDA Approves Cryoballoon Ablation Treatment for Paroxysmal AF
Larry Husten, PHD
Medtronic announced today that it has received FDA approval for its Arctic Front® Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter system for the treatment of refractory paroxysmal AF.
August 2nd, 2010
When in Rome…
John Mandrola, MD, FACC
CardioExchange welcomes this guest post reprinted with permission from Dr. John M, a blog by private-practice electrophysiologist and CardioExchange member, Dr. John Mandrola. In the quiet of the exam room, the patient’s cell phone obnoxiously chimes to life. “Hold on a minute Doc, I’ve been expecting this text.” You think, but dare not say, “You are kidding me, right?” This […]
NEJM Journal Watch — Recent Cardiology Articles- Persistent Symptoms After Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis
- Is Diltiazem Safe in Patients with AF Taking Apixaban or Rivaroxaban?
- Does Lowering High Childhood Lipid Levels Prevent Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Adulthood?
- Self-Expanding Supraannular Valve vs. Balloon-Expandable Valve in TAVR for Small Aortic Annulus
- A New TAVR Prosthesis for Aortic Regurgitation Shows Promise