Visia AF Hospital Template Press Release
[HOSPITAL NAME]using new device toTREAT DANGEROUS HEART RHYTHMS AND IDENTIFY Patients at Increased Risk for Stroke and Heart Failure Due to ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
[CITY, DATE] –[Hospital Name]is nowoffering newsingle-chamber implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) that cantreat life-threatening arrhythmias in the lower chambers of the heart, while also detecting previously undiagnosed and/or asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition that involves an irregular quivering or rapid heart rhythm in the upper chambers (atria) of the heart.
Many patients rely on ICDs, small implantable heart devices placed under the skin, typically just below the collarbone on the left side of the chest,to detect irregular heartbeats and deliver life-saving therapy to restore a normal heartbeat. However, approximately 20 percent of patients with single chamber ICDs may develop AFin the first two years after their device implant.1Until now, the ability to detect and monitor for new onset, asymptomatic and previously undiagnosed AF has not been possible with traditional single-chamber ICDs.
[SUGGESTED QUOTE]“Providing patients with the latest advancements to help improve and save patients’ livesis our first priority, and these new ICD offeringsare an extension of this deep-rooted commitment,” said [hospital physician/spokesperson]. “We’re grateful to have thisnew technology that can treat dangerous heart rhythms, while helpingdetect AF earlier, allowing us to better manage patients’ risk for stroke and heart failure.”
An estimated 3 million Americans have AF2,however many patients do not experience symptoms, leaving the condition frequently undetected, even with traditional external monitors. When left untreated, patients with AF are five times more likely to have a stroke3 and three times more likely to develop heart failure.4
The Visia AF MRI SureScan and Visia AF ICDs from Medtronichave been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat life threatening rhythms in the lower chambers of the heart, while also detectingAF. Both ICDsfeature a proprietary algorithm that detects AF episodes and captures AF frequency and duration. Its exclusive SmartShock™feature better differentiates between dangerous and harmless heart rhythms, and remote monitoring capabilitiesto connect patients to the clinic at home or away. The Visia AF MRI SureScan ICD is also approved for MRI scans on any part of the body without positioning restrictions.
For more information about the Visia AF MRI SureScan and Visia AF ICDs, visit [hospital website] or call [hospital number].
About [INSTITUTION NAME]
[INSERT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TREATING INSTITUTION]
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1Medtronic data on file.
2 Naccarelli GV, Varker H, Lin J, Schulman KL. Increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation and flutter in the United States. Am J Cardiol. December 2009; 104(11):1534-1539.
3 Wolff PA, Abbott RD, Kannel WB. Atrial fibrillation as an independent risk factor for stroke the Framingham Study. Stroke. 1991;22 (8): 983-988.
4 Stewart S, Hart CL, Hole DJ, et al. A population-based study of the long-term risks associated with atrial fibrillation: 20-year follow-up of the Renfrew/Paisey Study. Am J Med. October 1, 2002; 113 (5):359-364.