Rob Dillard

DocwireNews

Treating gum disease within 3 months of catheter ablation to correct atrial fibrillation (AFib) may lower the risk of oral inflammation and also reduce the risk of AFib recurrence, according to recent research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.&nbsp;According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 50% of adults aged 30 or older have some form of periodontal or gum disease, and incidence increases with age. This study marked the first analysis to investigate the potential impact of gum disease treatment on AFib.Researchers analyzed 97 patients who had undergone catheter ablation, a nonsurgical procedure, to correct AFib and received treatment for gum inflammation, along with 191 ablation patients who did not undergo treatment for gum disease. Following ablation, during the average follow-up period of 8.5 months to 2.0 years, AFib recurred among 24% of all participants. Investigators noted that participants with severe gum inflammation who received treatment following catheter ablation were 61% less likely to have a recurrence of AFib than those who did not receive treatment for severe gum inflammation.Overall, the study showed that having gum disease, being female, experiencing irregular heartbeat for more than 2 years, and left atrial volume were predictors of AFib recurrence.&ldquo;Gum disease can be modified by dental intervention. Proper management of gum disease appears to improve the prognosis of AFib, and many people around the world could benefit from it,&rdquo; said lead study author Shunsuke Miyauchi, MD, PhD, an assistant professor at the Health Service Center at Hiroshima University in Japan who engages in general cardiology, arrhythmia practice, and research, via a <a href="https://newsroom.heart.org/news/treating-gum-disease-after-heart-rhythm-ablation-reduced-risk-of-afib-recurrence">press release.</a>&ldquo;While the main findings were consistent with expectations, we were surprised by how useful a quantitative index of gum disease, known as periodontal inflamed surface area or PISA, could be in cardiovascular clinical practice,&rdquo; Dr. Miyauchi added. &ldquo;We are now working on further research to reveal the mechanism underlying the relationship between gum disease and AFib.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Jayme Locke, MD, MPH

Joel M. Topf, MD, FACP

The Promise of Xenotransplantation

NKF Spring Clinical Meetings 2025

Leah Lawrence

Real-World Data Backs Invasive DFS as Surrogate Endpoint for OS in EBC

HR Breast Cancer

Sacituzimab Govitecan Showed Modest Activity for CNS Metastases

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Latest News

Treating Gum Disease Following Catheter Ablation Reduces Risk of AFib Recurrence

Atrial Fibrillation

Treating gum disease soon after catheter ablation to correct atrial fibrillation may lower the risk of recurrence. 

Treating Gum Disease Following Catheter Ablation Reduces Risk of AFib Recurrence 

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertising

Contact Us

eNewsletters

Contribute

Career Center

MashupMD

Blood Cancers Today

Cancer Nursing Today

GU Oncology Now

Urban Health Today

Bile Duct Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Gastroesophageal Cancer

Gastric Cancer

GEP-NETs

GIST

Liver Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

GI Oncology Now

Anemia

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Essential Thrombocythemia

Hemophilia

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelofibrosis

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

Polycythemia Vera

Pulmonary Embolism

Sickle Cell Disease

Thrombocytopenia

Thrombophilia

Thrombosis

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Venous Thromboembolism

von Willebrand Disease

Heme Today

Acute Kidney Injury

ADPKD

Anemia and Kidney Disease

Chronic Kidney Disease

COVID-19 and Kidney Disease

Diabetes and Hypertension

End-Stage Renal Disease

Gout

Hyperkalemia

IgAN

Kidney Transplantation

Metabolic Acidosis

Nephrology Times

HER2 Breast Cancer

Genetics & Breast Cancer

Breast Cancers Today

Atherosclerotic Disease

Heart Failure

Hypertension

Interventional Cardiology

Lipid Management

Practice Tips With Dr. Lichaa

Preventive Cardiology

Stroke

Cardiology

Breast Cancer

Gynecologic Cancer

Head and Neck Cancer

Skin Cancer

Oncology

Sleep

Urology

Diabetes

Ophthalmology

— Demodex Blepharitis

Neurology

Rheumatology

Gastroenterology

Pulmonology

Infectious Diseases

— HIV

Health and Wellness

Lupus

Future of Medicine

Orthopedics

Pharmacology

Career News

More

Conferences

CardioNerds

The Sleep Source With Dr. Morse

Rheumatology Rounds With Dr. Maheswaranathan

Partners

Expert Interviews

Subscribe