At Ascension St. Vincent’s, our team of cardiologists regularly participate in clinical research to help identify the next groundbreaking treatments in heart care. In the field of atrial fibrillation care, we are working toward new advancements on a daily basis. Oftentimes, our local patients have the opportunity to participate in clinical trials that can bring them the latest treatments years before they will be available elsewhere.
Knowing the latest research results and staying up-to-date on treatment options can make a huge impact on your quality of life. Here are a few of the latest developments.
Stroke Prevention for AFib Patients
Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib, is one of the leading causes of stroke. According to the CDC, this irregular heartbeat increases risk of stroke by five times and doubles the risk of heart-related deaths. AFib increases stroke risk because the upper chambers of the heart, or atria, do not contract properly and blood pools in a cavity known as the left atrial appendage. The pooled blood can form a clot that travels to your brain’s arteries, interrupting blood flow and leading to a stroke. That’s why stroke prevention is key for patients with AFib.
Our team recently joined a new trial studying a stroke prevention device made out of flexible foam technology. It is designed to seal the left atrial appendage to reduce the risk of stroke without the need for blood thinners. Our hope is to minimize the use of blood thinners after the procedure. Certain AFib patients are now eligible to participate in the trial, if they meet other trial criteria.
Cutting-Edge Advances in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Patients with AFib often experience symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, chest discomfort, dizziness or lightheadedness. While preventing stroke risk is key, it’s also our goal to get them feeling back to normal and healthy again. Some patients have what’s known as drug-resistant AFib, meaning traditional medications don’t help like they should. For these patients, we use a non-surgical, catheter-based procedure called AFib ablation to restore a normal heartbeat.
This spring, our group participated in a global clinical trial studying a new artificial intelligence (AI)-based software that helps precisely pinpoint the optimal ablation locations for each individual patient. Using this and other technologies, we have often been able to identify new ablation targets for complex patients who were not previously helped by standard ablation.
My colleagues and I also recently participated in a trial studying a hybrid ablation technique. It combines both catheter ablation and surgical procedures to help patients with advanced AFib. We found this approach to be effective for many advanced patients who have been in continuous atrial fibrillation for months or even years. We published our findings in the journal Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, and continue to incorporate hybrid catheter/surgical ablation in our mix of treatment strategies. The surgical aspects are done through a minimally-invasive and tiny incision. They can be coupled with an “atriclip,” which removes both arrhythmia triggers and clot potential from the left atrial appendage. This can allow patients to come off blood thinners after the procedure.
Work With Your Doctor to Find the Right Treatments for You
We only mentioned a few of the exciting research developments here, but there are many more in all fields of cardiovascular care. The most important thing is to stay in touch with your doctor to find the right treatment plan for you. With so many options available now, our patients are living longer and feeling better. Don’t wait to schedule an annual check-up with your cardiologist. Make an appointment today.
Dr. Anthony Magnano is a Ponte Vedra resident and Chief of Cardiology at Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside. For more information on Dr. Magnano and his specialty treating Atrial fibrillation, go to Healthcare.ascension.org or call 904-388-1820.
