Updates for AF Awareness Month: Loop monitoring, EAST-AFNET 4 and more in AF research
In recognition of National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month, Healio and Cardiology Today have aggregated some of the recent updates in AF research and treatment.
Updates include data on the arrhythmogenic effects of alcohol; the potential benefits of screening for asymptomatic AF; and the latest in AF research presented at the virtual European Society of Cardiology Congress.
Continuous AF monitoring does not reduce risk for stroke, systemic embolism: LOOP
Continuous implantable loop recorder monitoring resulted in a threefold increase in AF detection and subsequent anticoagulation initiation, but failed to reduce risk for stroke or systemic embolism in high-risk patients. Read more
Finerenone reduces risk for new-onset AF in diabetic kidney disease
Treatment with the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone reduced the risk for new-onset AF or flutter by 29% compared with placebo in adults with diabetic kidney disease, according to new data from the FIDELIO-DKD trial. Read more
Early rhythm control therapy for AF consistent regardless of presence of symptoms
The benefits of early, systematic rhythm control therapy were consistent regardless of whether patients had asymptomatic or symptomatic AF, according to new data from the EAST-AFNET 4 trial. Read more
Alcohol consumption raises odds of AF episode soon after in paroxysmal AF
In patients with paroxysmal AF, consumption of alcohol raises risk for an AF event shortly thereafter, according to data presented at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Session. Read more
Edoxaban ‘plausible alternative to warfarin’ to treat AF after TAVR
In the ENVISAGE-TAVI AF trial, edoxaban was noninferior to vitamin K antagonists for adverse clinical events and was associated with increased major bleeding in patients with AF who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Read more
Screening for asymptomatic AF brings potential benefits, many questions
AF accounts for 454,000 hospitalizations and 158,000 deaths annually, according to the CDC. Many with AF have symptoms, but many do not, leading to the question of whether screening in asymptomatic individuals is needed. Read more
Ablation plus CRT superior to drug therapy in patients with permanent AF, narrow QRS
Rate control with AV junction ablation plus biventricular pacing improved survival among patients with permanent AF, narrow QRS and a prior HF hospitalization compared with medical rate control therapy, a speaker reported. Read more
Cryoballoon ablation catheter now indicated as first-line treatment for AF
The FDA granted a new indication to a cryoballoon ablation catheter that allows it to be used as a first-line treatment for AF, before antiarrhythmic drugs. Read more
TEE can detect left atrial thrombus in patients with AF undergoing procedures
The prevalence of left atrial thrombus is high in certain anticoagulated patients with AF, which suggests a role for transesophageal echocardiogram imaging before procedures in that population, researchers reported. Read more