atrial fibrillation

February 9, 2017

VUMC testing device to reduce stroke risk in arrhythmia patients

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is the first in the state to enroll patients in a clinical trial testing the effectiveness of the newest implantable device used to reduce stroke risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common form of arrhythmia.

By Jessica Pasley
August 25, 2016

Device helps curb atrial fibrillation patients’ stroke risk

Peggy Tubb doesn’t recall her exact reaction when she was told she could stop taking blood thinners to treat atrial fibrillation (AF), but the news changed her life.

By Jessica Pasley
iStock
October 15, 2015

Risk of death in the ICU

The irregular heart rhythm atrial fibrillation increases the risk of death in patients in the intensive care unit.

By Bill Snyder
June 17, 2015

Vanderbilt Heart offers alternative to blood thinners for atrial fibrillation

Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute now offers patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) an alternative treatment to reduce their risk of stroke, potentially avoiding the long-term use of blood thinners such as warfarin.

By Kathy Whitney
January 9, 2015

Does fish oil help prevent A-fib?

Growing evidence suggests that fish oil, thought to directly prevent inflammation, oxidative stress and heart disease, may have limited clinical utility.

By VUMC News and Communications
Heart illustration thumbnail
December 18, 2014

Atrial disease and hypertension links

New findings suggest that misfolded proteins accumulate in the heart atria, particularly in patients with hypertension, and may contribute to atrial heart disease.

By Leigh MacMillan
May 12, 2014

Normalizing calcium flux to treat atrial fibrillation

A particular anti-arrhythmia drug provides a targeted treatment for certain forms of atrial fibrillation.
By Leigh MacMillan
May 8, 2014

New technique helps spot atrial fibrillation genetic variations

A technique called whole-exome sequencing (WES) has been used for the first time at Vanderbilt University to identify new genetic variations associated with a common disease — a heart rhythm abnormality called atrial fibrillation (AF).
By Bill Snyder
February 10, 2014

Keeping the beat after heart surgery

Variation in the gene for the beta-1 adrenergic receptor increases the risk that a patient will have an abnormal heart rhythm after cardiac surgery.
By Leigh MacMillan
June 21, 2013

Rhythm response tied to gene variant

A genetic variant that increases risk for atrial fibrillation also impacts the response to a common therapy for the heart rhythm disorder.
By Leigh MacMillan
December 13, 2012

Novel gene linked to familial atrial fibrillation

A rare genetic variant that occurs more commonly in families of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) may be a key to better understanding this common and potentially life threatening condition, Vanderbilt University researchers reported this week.
By Bill Snyder
December 6, 2011

Study points to personal treatment for atrial fibrillation

Individuals with atrial fibrillation who have a particular genetic variant respond better to rate control therapy.
By Kathy Whitney