Atrial Fibrillation Treatments at the Stanford Arrhythmia Center

Board certified in clinical cardiac electrophysiology, Dr. Sanjiv M. Narayan teaches medicine, cardiology, and bioengineering as a professor at Stanford University. Dr. Sanjiv Narayan also co-founded the Stanford Arrhythmia Center, which develops world-class therapies for heart-rhythm disorders.

Disorders treated at the center include atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition characterized by an abnormal heart rhythm that causes fatigue and heart palpitations. The center’s staff and specialists provide comprehensive care for patients with AFib using the least invasive techniques possible. Patient treatment begins with two essential steps: stroke assessment and management, followed by the restoration of normal heart rhythm and rate.

Every patient at the center receives a care plan based on a thorough evaluation of his or her risk for a stroke. The plan outlines the necessary medications and advanced treatments to manage strokes. The second step focuses on restoring the heart’s normal rhythm and rate and relieving associated symptoms. While the center’s care staff prioritize finding the most minimally invasive approaches, treatments can range from medication to lifestyle changes. Furthermore, doctors may consider ways to alleviate related heart disorders.

If minimally invasive approaches fail to correct AFib symptoms, the center offers a variety of procedures carried out by skilled doctors and surgeons. Doctors collaborate with patients to determine the best possible approach, which may include electrical cardioversion, catheter ablation, or maze surgery.

Fitbit Working on Sleep Apnea Wearable Device

A professor of medicine at Stanford University, Dr. Sanjiv M. Narayan is also the co-founder and co-director of the school’s Arrhythmia Center, which works to develop innovative bioengineered arrhythmia medicine. Outside of his professional life, Dr. Sanjiv Narayan maintains a personal interest in wearable technology like Fitbit. 

Fitbit, maker of the fitness tracker of the same name, is currently working on a new device that will help track and recognize sleep apnea. Sleep apnea, a disorder that inhibits proper breathing during sleep, affects 18 million Americans.

The technology, which Fitbit hopes to have finished by 2018, uses a small light to shine through the wearer’s skin to detect the precise color of the blood, which indicates how well-oxygenated it is. For those undiagnosed with sleep apnea, the technology can help determine if they have the disorder, and if or when they should consult a doctor. For those who have already been diagnosed, the wearable can help evaluate the effectiveness of apnea treatment. 

Fitbit, already testing prototypes in sleep labs, hopes to enter the medical technology sector to compete with their biggest wearable tech rival, Apple. Provided the medical community accepts the new technology, Fitbit will still have to get approval from the FDA and similar regulatory agencies in other countries.

New Research on Sleep Apnea and Developing Brains

Licensed to practice cardiology in California and Missouri, Dr. Sanjiv Narayan is the founder of a technology development firm that he sold to Abbott Laboratories. In acquiring the startup, Abbott gained leading-edge atrial fibrillation treatment modalities with the potential to improve care for patients worldwide. Dr. Sanjiv Narayan has a strong interest in diverse areas of medicine, including sleep apnea.

A condition related to relaxation of the throat muscles during the night, which is also related to atrial fibrillation, sleep apnea causes airway obstruction and brief halts to breathing. Once the brain becomes aware of danger, it sends out signals that wake up the person, and the throat muscles contract and temporarily resolve the problem. Such interruptions can occur as many as 30 times a night, leading to chronic sleep issues.

While little research has been undertaken on sleep apnea and the developing brain, the condition affects approximately 5 percent of children. A recent study pairing University of Chicago and University of California research teams and using brain scan analysis suggests that sleep apnea in children may result in gray matter losses spanning diverse regions of the brain. The next step is described as being one of exploring how these losses may be related to cognitive defects.

More People Living with Heart Failure

Dr. Sanjiv Narayan is the founder of Topera, a medical technology company that was acquired by Abbott Laboratories in 2014. Dr. Sanjiv Narayan has served in several roles at Stanford University, including director of the Atrial Fibrillation Program. He has also continued to maintain membership in the American Heart Association.

Through its 2017 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update, the American Heart Association recently released data that shows more Americans are living with heart failure compared to previous years. Over a three-year period from 2011 to 2014, the number of those living with heart failure increased by approximately 800,000 from 5.7 million to 6.5 million, with those figures expected to increase by 46 percent over the next 15 years. 

One reason experts believe more people are living with heart failure has to do with advancements in medical science. Individuals who survive heart attacks are at an increased risk of heart failure later in life, and increasingly effective treatments allow more people to survive these cardiac events than in previous years. People living to older ages is also a contributing factor.

Features of Cycling Jerseys

A medical professional and entrepreneur, Dr. Sanjiv Narayan is the cofounder of Topera, Inc., which was recently acquired by Abbott Laboratories. Alongside his company’s sale to Abbott, he has served as professor of medicine at Stanford University for more than a decade. In his leisure time, Dr. Sanjiv Narayan is an avid cyclist.

Picking out a good cycling jersey is more than just a question of fashion. Choosing the right fit and fabric is essential for a smooth, comfortable ride--especially long-distance cycling.

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Defining and Identifying Atrial Fibrillation

Sanjiv Narayan, a medical professional and entrepreneur, is co-founder of Topera, Inc., which was recently acquired by Abbott Laboratories. One of the medical conditions that Sanjiv Narayan focuses on is atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation, commonly called AF, refers to an irregular or rapid heart rate (arrhythmia). This condition, which feels like a quivering or trembling heart, increases people’s chances of heart failure, stroke, and other complications.

AF results when the two upper chambers of the heart, called the atria, have dangerously irregular beats that don’t harmonize with the beats of the two lower chambers of the heart, called the ventricles. Symptoms of AF include shortness of breath, palpitations, and weakness.

For some patients, AF is sporadic, and for others, it is constant. Since AF is a serious condition, it merits treatment by a medical professional as it indicates that there may be underlying problems. It is estimated that up to 15% and 20% of stroke patients may have AF - which is often undiagnosed. One important research area is to determine if treating AF can reduce the risk for stroke.

Volunteering Opportunities at the Heart Rhythm Society

Since 2014, Dr. Sanjiv Narayan has served as the director of electrophysiology research and the atrial fibrillation program at Stanford University. Dr. Narayan is funded by the National Institutes of Health and has spoken at several forums on atrial fibrillation worldwide. Dr. Sanjiv Narayan is a member of the Heart Rhythm Society.

A membership organization dedicated to improving patient care and advocating for optimal health care policies, the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) has become known as a top resource on cardiac pacing and electrophysiology. The organization relies on its extensive network of cardiac professionals, who volunteer their time with a variety of programs and projects. HRS also encourages members to recruit colleagues and network with fellow members online.

For non-members interested in supporting HRS, the organization welcomes financial donations in support of research, education, and advocacy activities. Anyone can post comments on the HRS Facebook page or share posts, which increase overall visibility of the heart rhythm community.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Heart Rhythm Society, visit the official website at hrsonline.org.