atrial fibrillation (AFib)

February 7, 2019

Device helps heart patients ditch blood thinners

For the first time in 27 years, Jerry Flowers is looking at life without using blood thinners, thanks to a small device that was implanted in his heart in a clinical trial at Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute (VHVI).

By Matt Batcheldor
January 31, 2019

Research bolsters thyroid function, atrial fibrillation link

A study by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center has strengthened the link between thyroid function and atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular heart rhythm that increases the risk of stroke and other heart-related complications.

By Bill Snyder
June 14, 2018

VUMC joins research network to fight atrial fibrillation

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) has been selected by the American Heart Association (AHA) to participate in a six-member research network to advance treatment and prevention of atrial fibrillation (AFib), an irregular heart rate that increases the risk of stroke and other heart-related complications.

By Bill Snyder
February 22, 2018

Multiple options help atrial fibrillation patients

Since launching its program offering patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) an alternative treatment to reduce their risk of stroke and avoiding long-term use of blood thinners, the Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute (VHVI) has consistently ranked among the top centers in the country for the implantation of left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) devices.

By Jessica Pasley
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
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
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