Atrial Fibrillation:A Big Problem Getting Bigger

Atrial Fibrillation,or AFib,is a heart rhythm disorder which is sweeping through the growing ranks of the elderly.That's understandable,since age is one of the main predispositions for the disease.From a current patient population of about 5 million,the number of AFib patients is expected to triple by 2050.Many of them are already dealing with other chronic diseases-especially cardiovascular ones.
In AFib,the two upper chambers of the heart,or atria,beat erratically and out of sync with the two lower chambers,or ventricles.This can result in a number of symptoms such as heart palpitations;lightheadedness;fatigue;shortness of breath;disorientation;and even chest pain.During AFib,an electrical overload in the heart results in an irregular,rapid heartbeat.These erratic signals may be caused by factors such as damage to the heart's structure from hypertension;heart valve disease;heart attacks;congenital heart defects;metabolic disorders;lung disease;stimulants;heart surgery;viral infection;and sleep apnea.Age,alcoholism and heredity may predispose a patient for AFib.
AFib can lead to stroke and heart failure.Left untreated,it tends to become more severe and less amenable to treatment as time goes on.Recent studies point to a link between AFib and dementia.That stands to reason,since AFib can easily hinder blood flow to the brain.
AFib is typically diagnosed by means of various monitors attached to the body with electrodes.Treatment ranges from medication to electric shock therapy,as well as various catheter procedures.Blood thinners such as Warfarin and its branded form Coumadin,plus the newer Pradaxa are frequently prescribed to lesson the considerable risk of blood clot formation and stroke from AFib.
If your heart seems to be acting up,it's best to consult with your doctor about it.It could be AFib or another dangerous cardiac arrhythmia.
German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim,which is privately held,makes Pradaxa,while Coumadin is a product of Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Bristol-Myers Squibb(BMY)

Understanding Heart Palpitations

Those strange sensations in your chest can be quite concerning.They may be felt as a fluttering in the chest;the heart skipping a beat;the heart racing;an extra heartbeat;a pounding heartbeat;even a throbbing in your neck.
An occasional palpitation is felt by nearly everyone at some time or other.It's probably just from stress;fatigue;caffeine;nicotine;or possibly cold medicine with a stimulant in it.
If your palpitations are frequent,though,or accompanied by other symptoms,such as lightheadedness or dizziness,you need to have a doctor evaluate them.They could be a sign of a dangerous heart condition called atrial fibrillation,or other cardiac arrhythmias.
You may be referred to a cardiologist,who can order various tests to study the problem with.These may include an electrocardiogram;a Holter monitor;an event monitor;possibly an echocardiogram or chest x-ray.None of them hurt.It's detective work,and it can be challenging to catch the palpitations and record them for analysis,which may also require your keeping a diary of activities and symptoms.That's why it may take several weeks to understand your condition and begin treating it,if necessary.
Anything that worries you about your health is worth looking into.With determination,you and your doctor will reach the right conclusion.

Bristol-Myers/Pfizer Drug Apixiban Superior to Aspirin For AF Patients

A Phase 3 trial of the Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer oral medication apixiban showed that,for atrial fibrillation patients unsuitable for a vitamin K antagonist such as warfarin,apixiban is superior to aspirin at reducing the risk of stroke or systemic embolism without a significant increase in major bleeding(annual event rate of 1.6% for apixiban versus 3.7% for aspirin).
The study also showed that apixiban was superior to aspirin at reducing the composite of stroke,systemic embolism,heart attack or vascular death for AF patients versus aspirin(annual event rate of 4.2% for apixiban versus 6.7% for aspirin).
Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia.It afflicts about 5.1 million Americans and more than 6 million Europeans.About 40-50% of AF patients are considered unsuitable for vitamin K antagonists because of the risk of bleeding and incompatibility with other medications.
Lead investigator Dr.Stuart Conolly,MD,professor of medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton,Ontario,said the risk of stroke or systemic embolism is of great concern for patients with atrial fibrillation,especially because AF-related strokes are particularly devastating.Given the significant number of patients who are not eligible for vitamin K antagonists,it is especially important to have potential new treatment options that are both safe and effective.
Pfizer and Bristol-Myers have been in a worldwide collaboration to develop and commercialize apixiban since 2007.
Bristol-Myers Squibb(BMY),Pfizer(PFE)

Warfarin Substitute Shows Promise

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer have agreed to stop a Phase 3 trial of investigation agent apixaban in patients with atrial fibrillation,or irregular heartbeat,who are at risk of blood clots and stroke.An interim analysis showed clear evidence of a clinically significant reduction in stroke and blood clots in AF patients.These patients were considered intolerant of,or unsuitable for,vitamin K antagonist therapy,such as Warfarin,and received apixaban rather than aspirin.The analysis also showed apixaban is as safe as aspirin.
The study was conducted in 36 countries by the Population Health Research Institute,which is affiliated with McMaster University in Hamilton,Ontario and Hamilton Health Sciences.Further analysis of the study and an effort to publish and present the results are ongoing.
Pfizer and Bristol-Myers Squibb have been collaborating on the development and commercialization of apixaban since 2007.Apixaban is an oral anticoagulant discovered by Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Pfizer(PFE),Bristol-Myers Squibb(BMY)