Tag Archives: ENSURE-AF

Introduction Atrial fibrillation (AF) is encountered with increasing frequency in clinical practice,1 and is associated strongly with adverse clinical outcomes, including stroke, cardiovascular events and death.2,3 Concomitant atherosclerotic disease may increase the risk of adverse outcomes in people with AF. For example, peripheral arterial disease was present in 11% of a large cohort of European patients with AF, and increased the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular death, compared with patients with AF but no peripheral arterial disease.4 In addition, AF is associated with adverse outcomes in a range of other subgroups of patients, inclu

A new gene therapy that targets the heart and requires only one treatment session, has been found safe for patients with coronary artery disease, according to a successful trial carried out in Finland (doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehx352). The treatment enhances circulation in ischaemic heart muscle and the effects were still visible one year after treatment. The randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled phase 1/2a trial was carried out in collaboration between the University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio University Hospital and Turku PET Centre. The biological bypass is based on gene transfer in which a natural human growth factor, AdVEGF-DΔNΔC, a ne

For advances in atrial fibrillation, we talk to Professor John Camm (St George’s, University of London), who analyses new AF guidance and the registry ‘real world’ data emerging in this field. Dr Jubin Joseph (St Thomas’ Hospital, London, and President of the British Junior Cardiologists’ Association) speaks about the implications of some of the coronary artery disease studies, and also the use of telemonitoring in heart failure. Finally, Professor Patrick Moriarty (University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA) discusses what effect the new PCSK9 inhibitors are likely to have on life for patients with familial hypercholesto

New AF guidelines The first collaborative European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) Guidelines on Atrial Fibrillation (AF) were published at the start of the congress.1 These multidisciplinary guidelines focus on early detection of asymptomatic AF, recommending both opportunistic and targeted screening for all patients aged ≥65 years, or with stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). In addition, the guidelines deal with long-term challenges in the management of AF patients, with recommendations on what to do when patients develop complications on anticoagulation, re-initiation of an

More news from ESC available online More news reports from the ESC are available online at www.bjcardio.co.uk/news including: • His Holiness Pope Francis (below) makes historic visit • REM-HF study shows no benefit with remote monitoring of cardiac devices • ODYSSEY ESCAPE: alirocumab reduces need for apheresis in FH • Apheresis shows promise in refractory angina • Pulmonary hypertension and anticoagulation highlights at congress • Our practice message podcasts (see below) ENSURE AF: edoxaban allows prompt cardioversion in AF Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who need anticoagulation before undergoing cardioversion may benefi