A noninvasive procedure that freezes and kills problem-causing heart tissue was nearly 10 times better at eliminating a potentially serious heart rhythm disorder than conventional anti-arrhythmic drugs, researchers said on Monday…
A clinical trial of Medtronic Inc's (MDT.N) cryoablation system looked at 245 patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, a condition marked by intermittent episodes of abnormal heart rhythm that causes the upper chambers of the heart to quiver…
"This is the best data we have at this point in support of cryoablation (to treat atrial fibrillation)," said Dr. Douglas Packer of Mayo Clinic, the lead investigator of the study.
Reuters, 3/16/2010
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Tags: atrial fibrillation, Cardiology, Dr. Douglas Packer, Medtronic