Atrial Fibrillation

Younger patients with atrial fibrillation who had rare genetic variants associated with inherited cardiomyopathy and arrythmia syndromes were associated with a significantly higher rate of death than those without the variants, a Vanderbilt-led study has shown. Read More

There is strong evidence that the medication apixaban (Eliquis) is preferable to rivaroxaban (Xarelto) for stoke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), with both reduced rates of severe bleeding complications as well as strokes, according to study published Dec. 21 in JAMA. Read More

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. Read More

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. Read More

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. Read More

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. Read More

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

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. Read More

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

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

A particular anti-arrhythmia drug provides a targeted treatment for certain forms of atrial fibrillation. Read More

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). Read More

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. Read More

James L. Cox UPDATE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Rollin A. Daniel Jr. M.D. Lecture scheduled for Nov. 22 has been canceled. It will be rescheduled for a later date. Pioneering cardiothoracic surgeon James L. Cox will speak on the history and future of atrial fibrillation therapies at 7 a.m. Friday,… Read More

A genetic variant that increases risk for atrial fibrillation also impacts the response to a common therapy for the heart rhythm disorder. Read More

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. Read More

An international study co-led by researchers at Vanderbilt University has uncovered six new “susceptibility loci,” chromosomal regions located in or near genes that may play a role in atrial fibrillation, the most commonly diagnosed heart condition. Read More

Individuals with atrial fibrillation who have a particular genetic variant respond better to rate control therapy. Read More