Although warfarin is widely used to prevent strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), previous research has found the discontinuation rate to be high. In a study published online Aug. 6 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, researchers found that a newer drug, dabigatran, resulted in better persistence rates in patients newly diagnosed with nonvalvular AF.

eCardio Diagnostics, a leader in remote arrhythmia monitoring services, has promoted John H. Untereker to President, effective immediately. He will remain COO.

Novel anticoagulants offer physicians a welcome option to warfarin for treating patients with atrial fibrillation who are at risk of stroke. But proceed with caution until more data accumulate.

Boston Scientific Corporation has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for the Rhythmia™ Mapping System, a next-generation 3D mapping and navigation solution for use in cardiac catheter ablations and other electrophysiology (EP) procedures to diagnose or treat a variety of conditions in which the heart beats abnormally.

The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) added lead extractions to its annual compendium on arrhythmia treatments. The EHRA White Book was released online June 23 on the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) website in conjunction with the launch of EHRA EUROPACE 2013 in Athens.

The June issue of Pharmaceuticals Monthly explores the delay in the approval of apixaban (Eliquis) by the FDA. “Apixaban shows how a review that seems, on its face, like it should be a quick and clean affair can become derailed by issues that, but for the agency’s own public disclosures post-approval, would never see the light of day,” according to the article.

ATLANTA—Improve quality, reduce cost. That’s often the goal, but less often the outcome. The leader of an integrated electrophysiology (EP) program shared a formula for achieving quality and savings June 13 at the Cardiovascular Service Line Symposium.

Today, members of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) are visiting 35 congressional offices on Capitol Hill to raise visibility and support for two proposals: the “Medicare Program Integrity Improvement and Education Act” and the “Teaching Children to Save Lives Act.” HRS is advocating for the support of these two bills because both intend to deliver outcomes aligned with the Society’s mission to improve the care of patients by advancing research, education and optimal health care policies and standards.