A new study is suggesting that patients suffering from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) should be screened for depression, as the successful treatment of which could drastically improve their quality of life.

The rate of an AF patient’s quality of life is rated by electrophysiologists (EPs), who does so with more accuracy than the patient himself can. In fact, according to a study presented at the EHRA EUROPACE meeting on June 23 in Athens, Greece, patients with paroxysmal AF showed signs of depression (even if they don’t have heart disease). This could change how the patients are being treated for their AF.

“EPs generally decide whether to take a more or less aggressive treatment approach according to the patient’s disease burden. Here, not only physical symptoms need to be taken into consideration, but also the patient’s mental health and quality of life in general. If EPs don’t know that their patients are suffering from depression, they may not be offering them optimum treatments,” says Professor Karl Ladwig, the first author of the study. “Good communication between physicians and patients is of paramount importance for adherence to medications and long-term prognosis.”

The purpose of the study was for researchers to gain a better idea of how patients and doctors communicate. The information for the study was gathered for patients who were enrolled in the Angiotensin II Antagonist in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (ANTIPAF) trial. The ANTIPAF trial examined whether angiotensin II receptor blockers lowered the episodes of paroxysmal AF. What the study found was that general practitioners rated a patient’s quality of life higher than the patients did, prompting study researchers to recommend proper screening for depression using EPs.

AF is often treated with anticoagulants like Multaq. Multaq is made by Sanofi-Aventis and has been linked to serious side effects including a worsening of the heart condition, liver failure and lung toxicity. It is for this reason that the FDA has recommended that doctors only prescribe Multaq if all other medications fail to work.

If you or a loved one has suffered from liver failure or a worsening heart condition after being treated with Multaq, contact the attorneys at Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Multaq lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your injuries.