A-Fib Drugs Less Effective than New Treatment

Psst. Don't tell big pharma that...

Patients who live with atrial fibrillation may see brighter days with a new procedure that is proving to be much more effective than riskier A-fib drugs.

According to a study, 75 percent of patients with an irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation were free of symptoms after receiving a new treatment called catheter ablation. Only 21 percent of those treated with A-Fib drugs were without symptoms.

Results were so convincing the trial was halted early. The ablation group also scored significantly higher on a quality-of-life scale. The study included 159 patients at 19 centers, including 15 centers in the United States. Results were presented at the American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans.

The study was funded by Biosense Webster, which makes the ThermoCool catheter used in the trial. An additional study called CABANA is designed to determine whether ablation patients live longer than patients receiving medication. Researchers will follow about 3,000 patients for three years.

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