REMINDER/slp3D/OR-Live.com Live Webcast of a Revolutionary Treatment for Patients with AFib.Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers REMINDER...Wednesday (March 3) NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 2004 The American Heart Association American Heart Association (AHA), n.pr a national voluntary health agency that has the goal of increasing public and medical awareness of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and thereby reducing the number of associated deaths and disabilities. estimates that about two million Americans suffer from the most common form of heart arrhythmia arrhythmia (ārĭth`mēə), disturbance in the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. Various arrhythmias can be symptoms of serious heart disorders; however, they are usually of no medical significance except in the presence of , atrial fibrillation atrial fibrillation Irregular rhythm (arrhythmia) of contraction of the atria (upper heart chambers). The most common major arrhythmia, it may result as a consequence of increased fibrous tissue in the aging heart, of heart disease, or in association with severe infection. (AFib), which also is responsible for an estimated 70,000 strokes in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. each year. Most AFib patients are treated with blood thinners, which unfortunately put patients at risk of serious bleeding if they fall or bruise themselves. Those treated through surgery face the typical surgical risks of complications and even death. Chronic medical therapy, the mainstay of AFib treatment, is often ineffective or hazardous. AFib sufferers who are wary of medications or surgery can view a revolutionary, non-surgical, intravenous catheter technique known as radiofrequency ablation Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) A technique for removing a tumor by heating it with a radiofrequency current passed through a needle electrode. Mentioned in: Liver Cancer, Prenatal Surgery therapy, now being performed to treat AFib, via a live Webcast from St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. , on March 3, from 2pm to 3pm. The live Webcast is free and can be viewed at http://www.OR-Live.com Viewers of this live event will have the ability to email questions direct to the OR for an on-camera response by the medical team. Jonathan S. Steinberg, MD, an electrophysiologist and chief of cardiology at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital will perform the procedure. "Ablation therapy ablation therapy See Ablation–cardiology. using radiofrequency energy successfully cures patients with atrial fibrillation and enables people who would have previously been placed on drugs for life to be completely off medical therapy after the procedure," said Dr. Steinberg. "Atrial fibrillation is particularly prevalent among the elderly or those with cardiovascular disease Cardiovascular disease Disease that affects the heart and blood vessels. Mentioned in: Lipoproteins Test cardiovascular disease . However, it can also be a troubling problem for younger patients without heart disease." "This is a revolutionary advance in atrial fibrillation therapy," said Dr. Steinberg. "Ablation can be achieved in about 99 percent of targeted veins, and when successful, will relieve patients of heart rhythm problems without having to undergo extensive heart surgery." "Most people diagnosed with atrial fibrillation are usually advised to go on cardiac medications, which they would likely take for the rest of their lives. For many, the cost of heart pills over a lifetime can add up to a small fortune," said Dr. Steinberg. "This new mode of treatment is effective in achieving a complete cure and will likely be cost-effective and safer compared to previous types of therapy." View a program preview video http://www.or-live.com/stlukes/1164/rams/vnr.ram |
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