Reported December 2005

BACKGROUND: Researchers have developed a new procedure to prevent strokes in people with atrial fibrillation. The pilot trial for the procedure has been completed, and a larger open trial has begun at about 60 sites around the US. The main purpose of the procedure is to reduce or eliminate the need for patients to take Coumadin, a blood-thinning medication that is basically rat poison. People taking the medication must be monitored constantly, since too high a dosage leads to excessive bleeding, while too low a dosage leads to increased risk of stroke. Because of this, only 30-40 percent of those who have atrial fibrillation opt to take Coumadin, even though it increases their risk of stroke.

HOW IT WORKS: A permanent implant -- essentially a heart blood filter -- is inserted through the groin and places just behind, or at the opening, of the left atrium of the heart to block it off. That's because more than 90 percent of clots found in patients with atrial fibrillation occur there. This is similar to traditional angioplasty, in which blood flow can be increased through a clogged artery without surgery. An instrument called a catheter is equipped with a tiny balloon to widen the opening in a partially blocked artery.

WHAT IS ATRIAL FIBRILLATION? Atrial fibrillation is a disorder in the two small upper chambers of the heart (the atria). They quiver instead of beating effectively, so blood isn't pumped completely out of them, and may pool and clot. It a clot then leaves the heart and becomes lodged in an artery in the brain, a stroke may result. Roughly 15 percent of strokes occur in people with atrial fibrillation, and the likelihood of developing the disease increases with age.

If you would like more information, please contact:

For more info on the device:

Sue Buck, research nurse
Beaumont Hospital
(248) 898-5589
sbuck@beaumont.edu

More about heart disease:

American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org

Find an institution near you taking part in the trial:
http://www.atritech.net

FACTOID...

There are 2.6 million people in the United States today with atrial fibrillation.

Three to five percent of people over 65 have atrial fibrillation.