Atrial Fibrillation

In this interview from Western AF 2024, we speak with Amin Al-Ahmad, MD, from Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia in Austin, Texas, about updates in pulsed field ablation (PFA) for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Phrenic nerve injury is a complication of all types of atrial fibrillation ablation. It is diagnosed based on symptoms and physical examination shortly after an electrophysiologic ablation.

The advent of numerous wearable devices, including AF-sensing smartwatches that are capable of detecting AF, has opened the possibility that direct oral anticoagulation could be prescribed for only a few days after an episode of AF.

Featured is a discussion on the new guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation (AF). Included are Brett Atwater, MD; Courtney Channels, NP; Pamela Brandt, DO; and Eric Sklar, MD, from the Inova AF Center.

The approved LAAC plug devices have evolved significantly over the years in ways that have greatly increased the rate of successful occlusion, minimized the risk of embolization, and reduced the incidence of procedural complications.

Mehrdad Golian, MD, FRCPC, DRCPC, and Martin Green, MD, FRCPC, present a case underscoring the significance of various diagnostic maneuvers and astute observations in the field of EP that can ultimately lead to the correct diagnosis.

The results of NOAH should impact practice—physicians should have a strong reason to start OAC in patients with only minutes of device-detected AF.

EP Lab Digest speaks with Ann Kirkness, RN, CNC, from Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, Australia, about her role as a cardiac nurse and coordinator of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator patient support group for over 20 years.

Dramatic cuts to physician reimbursement for EP procedures were finalized by CMS in the last 2 years. The impact of the cuts to physician reimbursement for ablation procedures will be devastating. What can hospitals do to help?