Newswise — WHAT: A study in the February 28 issue of The Lancet describes a risk scoring process that researchers believe could help prevent atrial fibrillation, the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm in the United States that affects about 2.2 million people. (http://www.thelancet.com/)

WHO: J. Michael (Mike) Mangrum, M.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, and director of the Atrial Fibrillation Center at the UVA Health System

Link to video preview: mms://es-media.eservices.virginia.edu/hswebcenter/news/MangrumM.wmv

Afib Treatment at UVA: UVA Health System helped pioneer cardiac ablation as an alternative to lifelong drug therapy for patients with afib. Dr. Mangrum and his team have achieved excellent results after performing more than 1,000 afib ablation procedures " a volume that is one of the nation's largest and that represents a breath of experience few hospitals can match.

Dr. Mangrum's Bio: J. Michael Mangrum received his B.S. from Rhodes College in 1988 and his M.D. from the University of Tennessee, Memphis in 1993. His post-graduate training consisted of an Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Chicago from 1993-1996, and Cardiology and Electrophysiology Fellowships at the University of Virginia from 1996-2000. Dr. Mangrum is board certified in Internal Medicine (1996), Cardiovascular Disease (1999), and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology (2000). He joined the faculty of the University of Virginia in 2000.

Dr. Mangrum serves at the Director of the Electrophysiology Fellowship program and is the Director of the Atrial Fibrillation Center. His clinical and research interests include ablation strategies for atrial fibrillation.

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CITATIONS

The Lancet, Feb. 28, 2009 (28-Feb-2009)