First Case of Speech-Induced Atrial Fibrillation Presented at Heart Rhythm 2007
Talking Was On-Off Switch For Most Common Arrhythmia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ann-Marie White
Heart Rhythm Society
202-464-3476
awhite@hrsonline.org

DENVER — The world’s first known case of speech-induced atrial fibrillation (AF) was reported on today at Heart Rhythm 2007, the Heart Rhythm Society’s 28th Annual Scientific Sessions. The patient, a 68-year-old female librarian from Kentucky, was successfully treated by repeating the word “Mississippi” enabling physicians to locate and ablate the AF.

AF, a condition that affects about 2.2 million Americans, is the nation’s most common heart rhythm disorder and increases the risk for heart disease and stroke.

The patient entered the hospital complaining of palpitations and severe fatigue, symptoms that seemed to worsen during family gatherings, work meetings, emotional church sermons and while talking on the phone. Physicians noticed minor AF when the patient spoke one or two words, and several minutes of AF when she used longer sentences.

“When she first came in we could see she was having runs of AF, but soon we noticed the AF would only present itself when she started talking,” said Peter Gallagher, M.D., lead author and director of the electrophysiology laboratory at Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, KY. “Talking acted like an on-off switch for her AF.”
 
When medication proved ineffective, physicians performed catheter ablation, a procedure where catheters are inserted into blood vessels to destroy areas of tissue that create the abnormal electrical signals responsible for the irregular heartbeat. Nine months after the patient received the ablation, she has not had any reoccurrence of AF.

“This is not only the first reported case of speech-initiated AF, but this case also represents the first non-cardiac trigger of AF successfully mapped and ablated,” said Dr. Gallagher.

Session details: “Ablation of a Case of Speech-Induced Atrial Fibrillation” [May 11, 10:30 AM, Room 704]

HEART RHYTHM 2007 takes place May 9-12 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. The meeting is the most comprehensive educational event on heart rhythm disorders, offering over 400 educational opportunities in multiple formats and over 125 innovative products and services for the heart rhythm management field. The world’s most renowned scientists and physicians will present a wide range of heart rhythm topics including advances in statins, cardiac resynchronization therapy, catheter ablation, cardiac pacing and heart failure and the latest technology, including state-of-the-art pacemakers and defibrillators.

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About the Heart Rhythm Society
The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients, and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education and optimal health care policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, DC, it has a membership of over 4,000 heart rhythm professionals in more than 60 countries around the world.