To view this page ensure that Adobe Flash Player version 11.1.0 or greater is installed.

Physicians Update Spring 201 5 Cardiology Issue Cardiac Arrhythmias p. 1 Heart Disease in Women p. 3 Chronic Total Occlusions p. 6 Catheterization Techniques p. 8 VAD as Destination Therapy p. 10 Cardiology UCLA Center Takes National Lead in Cardiac Arrhythmias Cardiac arrhythmias are a major public-health problem in the United States, contributing to mortality as well as a diminished quality of life. New procedures and techniques for managing these difficult conditions are improving the outlook for many patients, with the UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center a national leader in this effort. Ventricular arrhythmias cause the majority of sudden cardiac deaths in the United States — some 300,000 each year. Approximately 150,000 new cases of atrial fibrillation are diagnosed annually, often after a patient suffers a stroke, which is five times more likely in people with the condition. Standard treatments for arrhythmias — including medications, pacemakers and implantable continued on p. 4