Electrophysiology

The cardiac subspecialty of electrophysiology (EP) diagnoses and treats arrhythmias. This includes use of pacemakers to treat bradycardia, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) for tachycardia, heart failure and patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and cardiac ablation treatments to treat heart rhythm disorders.

UCL Imaging vest screening cardiac conditions

New vest developed by cardiologists uses advanced heart imaging to screen for sudden cardiac arrest

“We identified a problem in cardiology,” one cardiologist explained. “Heart imaging has made remarkable progress in recent decades, but the electrics of the heart have eluded us."

December 19, 2023
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week has the first cleared the pulsed field ablation (PFA) system, the Medtronic PulseSelect System for the treatment of both paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation (AF).

FDA clears first pulsed field ablation system to treat AFib

"The PulseSelect PFA system ushers the EP community to a new era of safe, effective and efficient AF ablation that overcomes many challenges in our current practice," said Amin Al-Ahmad, MD, St. David's Medical Center in Austin, Texas. 

December 14, 2023
Example of a totally AI driven echocardiography workflow on the new Siemens Origin ultrasound system unveiled in 2023. The AI did all the work on this screen, taking a 3D echo exam and automatically segmenting the anatomy, contoured all the chambers, found the ideal views to display and then calculated all the measurements in seconds. Photo by Dave Fornell at TCT 2023. 

Cardiology now has more than 100 FDA cleared AI algorithms

Cardiology makes up 10% of the 692 market-cleared clinical AI algorithms in the FDA’s latest update on the number of patient-facing AI now commercialized in the U.S. Experts share their thoughts on how it is being used.

December 14, 2023
Elderly patient doctor. Despite an expanded indication from the FDA and lower prices, patient access to these cholesterol-lowering medications remains a significant issue.

AFib before and after TAVR linked to significant risks

The new study included data on patients who presented for TAVR with preexisting AFib as well as those who developed new-onset AFib after the procedure. 

December 13, 2023
business launch

Venture capital firm raises $90M, launches new AFib ablation company

According to Ajax Health CEO and industry veteran Duke Rohlen, the new company will be focused on offerings that "prioritize precision, simplicity and efficiency."

December 8, 2023
older patient with a doctor at their house

Learning more about AFib: 19 important topics for cardiologists, other heart specialists to investigate

New AFib recommendations from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association covered significant ground—but there is still much more to learn, experts explained. 

December 4, 2023
2024 has been a banner year for structural heart treatments, especially those focused on the tricuspid valve. In February, for example, Edwards Lifesciences made history when its Evoque transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) system became the first device of its kind to gain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for treating tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Two months later, Abbott’s TriClip transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system also gained FDA approval for the treatment of TR.

New AFib guidelines include higher recommendations for catheter ablation, LAAO

Cardiologists, electrophysiologists, surgeons and patient representatives all worked together on the updated guidelines, which were published in both the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and Circulation.

December 1, 2023
business news announcement

Johnson & Johnson acquires medical device company behind new LAA technology for $400M

The deal could also include additional clinical and regulatory milestone payments in the years ahead.

November 30, 2023

Around the web

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

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