This first issue of 2014 brings with it a major change for The AFIB Report with the retirement of Hans and Judi Larsen who, together, have worked with tireless dedication and with such good cheer on behalf of all afibbers looking for answers to this vexing condition. Our heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation go out to Hans and Judi for a job very well done, indeed!

Not skipping a beat, Hans reviews the first two interesting studies on magnesium’s role in AFIB, and a study looking at the possibilities of using the new NOAC anticoagulants as a ‘pill in the pocket’ protocol.

I then pick up the baton with a summary of a timely population study out of the Netherlands confirming an association of low serum potassium with future development of AFIB, not surprising news to frequent readers of this newsletter. Followed by an interesting study confirming, once again, that low heart rate associated with high-level physical fitness is, itself, associated with increased risk of AFIB in otherwise healthy middle-aged men. Moderation in most things, including exercise seems to be the message here.

In the last half of this issue we review just a handful of highlights from the recently completed Boston AF Symposium 2014 that I attended, thankfully held this year in Orlando. With far too many interesting topics to report on, we’ll narrow the focus to a few for this issue, including key insights from basic science, such as the possibilities of ‘Relaxin’, an endogenous human hormone that has potent anti-fibrotic effects that may prove an effective agent for reversal, even possible prevention, of AFIB related fibrosis, if further research pans out.

A summary follows of two of the hottest topics this year, and from the past two years as well, with a look at developments in rotor research, as well as both invasive and non-invasive phase-mapping systems to detect said rotors and foci in the hopes of streamlining certain ablation protocols. We look, too, at the promising status of contact force (CF) catheter development from St. Jude Medical and Bio-Sense Webster, both of which are already in play in Europe, and with high hopes of US approval soon as well.

To wrap up, a short review of interesting news on the real world risks of catheter ablation, beyond the major centers and most experienced EPs, that underscores, once again, the wisdom of our long term emphasis here at The AFIB Report to choose your ablationist and center with care, discrimination and research for the best safety and peace of mind.

Last but not least, if you need to restock your supplements, please remember that by ordering through the on-line vitamin store you will be helping to defray the cost of maintaining the web site and bulletin board. You can find the store at http://www.afibbers.org/vitamins.htm - your continuing support is greatly appreciated.

Wishing you good health and lots of NSR,