Doctors & patients are saying about 'A-Fib.com'...
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Dr. Douglas L. Packer, MD, FHRS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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Jill and Steve Douglas, East Troy, WI
“I really appreciate all the information on your website as it allows me to be a better informed patient and to know what questions to ask my EP.
Faye Spencer, Boise, ID, April 2017
“I think your site has helped a lot of patients.”Dr. Hugh G. Calkins, MD Johns Hopkins,
Baltimore, MD
Early Rhythm Control Prevents Dementia in A-Fib Patients
In a study from South Korea, researchers were able to identify patients with new-onset A-Fib and prior stroke who received antiarrhythmic meds or catheter ablation.
The researchers used the Korean nationwide claims database. 10,213 patients were in the Early Rhythm Control (ERC) group while 31,157 received usual care (anticoagulation, rate control).
Study Findings: Early Rhythm Control Lowers Risk of Dementia
The Early Rhythm Control (ERC) group had significantly lower risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s dementia, and vascular dementia. ERC worked regardless of what kind of prior stroke the A-Fib patients had.
Editor’s Comments
Preventing Dementia Progression: A-Fib patients with a prior stroke are more susceptible to dementia. A stroke damages or kills brain cells when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. About 25% of stroke survivors develop dementia within three to six months.
The Korean researchers concluded that “to prevent the progression of cognitive dysfunction, ERC should be considered in this population.”
Catheter Ablation Reduces and Prevents Dementia: Though this study showed great results in A-Fib patients with a prior stroke, would it also work in A-Fib patients without a prior stroke? Yes!
Another study from South Korea found catheter ablation reduced dementia by 44%.This study shows that catheter ablation, probably by restoring or improving blood flow to the brain, can reduce and prevent dementia. (For more, see Catheter Ablation for A-Fib Lowers Dementia Risk)
