Picture Improved for HCM Patients with Afib

According to a recent overview by HCM specialists at the Lahey Clinic, the prognosis for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and atrial fibrillation has substantially improved in recent years.

The use of direct anti-coagulant drugs like Pradexa, Xarelto and Eliquis, which began in 2010, has had a major impact in reducing stroke risk in HCM patients who suffer from Afib.  And, there is a low threshold for the initiation of these drugs for HCM patients who experience episodes of atrial fibrillation, even if such episodes are sporadic or infrequent.  Also, anti-arrhythmic drugs as well as catheter and surgical ablation procedures can be helpful treatment options which are available to these patients.

There are also behavior modifications which can have a positive impact on Afib since patients who are overweight or who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea have a higher risk for atrial fibrillation.

Featured below are some past articles on HCMBeat about atrial fibrillation:

Atrial Fibrillation May Cause Negative Outcomes in HCM

Atrial Fibrillation? Try Giving Up Alcohol

Atrial Fibrillation: Treatable HCM Complication

Better Screening and Treatment Necessary for Atrial Fibrillation

Can This Formula Predict AFib in HCM Patients?

Aspirin Not Best to Treat A-fib

 

According to a recent study published June 20 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, more than 1/3 of patients in atrial fibrillation are not receiving sufficient anti-coagulation.   Many of these patients are receiving only aspirin instead of a more effective blood thinner like warfarin, or one of the newer anti-coagulant drugs like Pradaxa or  Xarelto.