http://arwatch.co.uk An Educational Resource for Cardiac Rhythm Management Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:28:55 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Conventional ICDs are a well established therapy for preventing death from ventricular arrhythmias, however because they rely on transvenous leads for sensing and defibrillation they have associated complications. Lead insertion can result in pneumothorax, haemothorax, and cardiac tamponade. Difficulties in achieving venous access may result in prolonged and ... http://arwatch.co.uk/2010/07/progress-in-subcutaneous-lead-icd-devices/ Dronedarone can be prescribed as a second-line treatment in those people with non-permanent AF patients whose AF is not controlled by first-line therapy (usually including beta blockers) and who have at least one of the following risk factors: Hypertension requiring 2 drugs of at least 2 different classes Diabetes mellitus Previous transient attack (TIA), ... http://arwatch.co.uk/2010/07/positive-nice-final-appraisal-for-dronedarone/ Biosense Webster, Inc., has announced that more than 10 patients have now been enrolled in the CLARITY-study ("CLARITY-AF"), comparing the efficacy, safety and efficiency of CARTO(R) 3 System guided radiofrequency ablation using the NAVISTAR(R) THERMOCOOL(R)catheter versus fluoroscopy guided radiofrequency ablation using the Pulmonary Vein Ablation catheter(R) (PVAC(R), Ablation Frontiers, Medtronic) in patients ... http://arwatch.co.uk/2010/07/clarity-af-study-underway/ The pilot included an exploration of what supporting information might be available and of the new appraisal process, and was supported by an electronic toolkit developed by the Revalidation Support Team.   The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) role was to co-ordinate and run the pilot, and to carry out the ... http://arwatch.co.uk/2010/07/rcp-mersey-revalidation-appraisal-pilot-completed/ “We are particularly pleased that the crucial role of national clinical audit will be strengthened and that GPs will again be able to refer patients to individual hospital specialists in line with the patient’s wishes Nonetheless the task of putting into place measures that are genuinely useful to patients and clinicians ... http://arwatch.co.uk/2010/07/rcp-backs-dh-white-paper/ The Affinity Pixie oxygenator (Picture) is a sophisticated oxygenation system. Paediatric oxygenators are used in open heart surgery for correcting paediatric congenital heart disorders. These operations can typically be performed within 60 days of the baby's birth and some children may undergo several surgical procedures over a few years to correct ... http://arwatch.co.uk/2010/07/medtronic-develops-new-paediatric-oxygenator/ Under the terms of the Level 1 Community Resuscitation Programme tender, ZOLL is the sole supplier to the BHF. The BHF plans to purchase AED Plus units annually from April 6, 2010 for the next three years to distribute in public places and areas of need throughout the United Kingdom. ZOLL ... http://arwatch.co.uk/2010/07/zoll-medical-awarded-bhf-tender-for-aeds/ Atrial fibrillation is of particular importance in stroke prevention. It affects around 300,000 people in Germany, and greatly increases the risk of stroke. Anticoagulants can reduce the risk of stroke by up to 80% here,“ says  Prof. Einhäupl. New substances such as dabigatran and rivaroxaban which can be taken orally, and ... http://arwatch.co.uk/2010/07/congress-report-european-neurological-society-ens-2010-3000-neurologists-meet-in-berlin/ Current advice is often confused and this can result in inappropriate restrictions being placed on the travel plans of thousands of patients. Healthcare professionals and patients have not had, until now, clear guidance based on the latest evidence to help give them the right advice. This is going to change ... http://arwatch.co.uk/2010/07/guidelines-on-cardiovascular-fitness-to-fly-produced/ In the ATHENA study with dronedarone, for example, 86% of patients had hypertension. It is assumed that this risk increases with increasing BP levels, but it is not known at which level SBP imposes a risk for AF. He presented data during the 20th European Meeting  on Hypertension, in Oslo, recently, ... http://arwatch.co.uk/2010/06/atrial-fibrillation-and-hypertension/