Atrial Fibrillation (according to Dr John M)

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder–by a long shot.  It affects–and often afflicts–millions.  AF is the most common heart-related reason for hospital admission. In America, more than 1 in 4 individuals will have AF in their lifetime. Yet even more remarkable than the vastness of AF’s prevalence is its diversity.  AF […]

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Atrial fibrillation Dabigatran/Rivaroxaban/Apixaban

What if the (very) young pharmaceutical rep is right?

I loved my old status.  Perhaps, reveled in it would be a better description. I was a crotchety generic-medicine only doctor.** Sadly, my status changed today.  Dabigatran (Pradaxa) was the culprit. It was a little nerve-racking. I wrote the order, looked at it, thought it out again, talking to myself, “John, are you sure you […]

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Atrial fibrillation Dabigatran/Rivaroxaban/Apixaban Health Care

Dabigatran is approved

There can only be one cardiology story to report today. Earlier today, the FDA approved Dabigatran (Pradaxa), an oral anticoagulant for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation. Previously, the only drug approved to prevent stroke in patients’ with AF was warfarin. Despite the well known sound scientific data in support of warfarin for the […]

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Atrial fibrillation Dabigatran/Rivaroxaban/Apixaban Health Care

A coumadin substitute, we are almost there…

I have heard this for years, “Doc, that stuff is rat poison!” But only lately have I heard this, “Doctor M, that company who can’t talk about their drug brought lunch again today.” Well, it is finally here (well almost), the first warfarin substitute, dabigatran. Sine antiquity, or at least it seems that long, the blood […]

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Atrial fibrillation Dabigatran/Rivaroxaban/Apixaban Health Care

Dabigatran: Finally a substitute for the dreaded coumadin is close…

Much energy in previous posts have centered on the ablation of heart rhythm disturbances.  Navigating a GPS guided catheter through the beating heart, triangulating the source of the ectopic impulse, and then delivering a cautery-like RF lesion is fun to do, gratifying to all involved, and makes for decent writing topics. However cool ablation is […]