Heart Rhythm

Hearts should have normal rhythm to their beats, but when these beats are out of synch, it causes inefficient pumping of blood. Irregular heart arrhythmias occur when the electrical signals that coordinate the heart's beats do not work properly. This can cause beats that are too fast (tachycardia), or too slow (bradycardia). Tachycardias include atrial fibrillation (AFib), supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia (VT). Bradycardias include sick sinus syndrome and conduction block. Electrophysiology arrhythmia treatments include medications, life style changes, and the EP lab interventions of catheter ablation, and implantable pacemakers or defibrillators.

American Heart Association thinks pharmacists can play a bigger role in AFib care
Pharmacists interact with patients on a regular basis and are seen as a trusted source of health information. Can they help cardiologists improve care for AFib patients?
2 out of 5 AFib patients develop heart failure later in life
Stroke is typically seen as the biggest danger for patients after they receive an AFib diagnosis. This study, however, suggests heart failure could be an even bigger threat.
FDA grants fast track designation to new drug for Friedreich's ataxia cardiomyopathy
The new gene therapy candidate is now one step closer to being approved by the FDA.
FDA grants anticoagulant its orphan drug designation for treating patients with implanted devices
The anticoagulant was originally developed for patients with end-stage renal disease and atrial fibrillation.
Biosense Webster takes key step toward FDA approval for Varipulse PFA system
The company already received CE mark approval for its new PFA offering and hopes it will soon be approved for sale in the United States.

Ear-clip device offers non-pharmacological treatment for postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). #HRS2023 #HRS

Ear clip offers non-pharmacological treatment for postural tachycardia syndrome

An ear clip device has been shown to effectively stimulate nerves to treat postural tachycardia syndrome.

June 7, 2023

FDA warning letter: iRhythm committed multiple violations, failed to report patient deaths in time

“It is your firm’s responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations administered by FDA,” according to the warning letter. These issues, the agency added, “may be symptomatic of serious problems in your firm’s manufacturing and quality management systems.”

June 7, 2023

The CLAAS device from Conformal Medical. The new investments were announced as the company continues developing its CLAAS device for sealing the LAA during LAAO procedures.

Conformal Medical raises $35M to continue development, research of next-gen LAAO device

The new investments were announced as the company continues developing its CLAAS device for sealing the LAA during LAAO procedures.

June 6, 2023

Juan Diaz, MD, explains why left bundle branch (LBB) conduction pacing is better than conventional sinus node pacing in cardiac synchronization therapy (CRT) for heart failure patients. #HRS #HRS2023 #LBBAP

Left bundle branch pacing: A successful alternative to standard lead placement

Juan C. Diaz, MD, explained why conduction pacing may be the way of the future.

June 6, 2023

Jagmeet Singh, MD, explains details of the SOLVE-CRT pivotal clinical trial at HRS 2023. #HRS #HRS2023

VIDEO: Jagmeet Singh details the SOLVE-CRT study for a leadless CRT system

Findings from the SOLVE-CRT study were presented to attendees at Heart Rhythm 2023. "Our results showed the study was safe, effective and feasible," Singh said.

June 5, 2023

Phillip Cuculich MD explains Noninvasive Cardiac Radiotherapy ablation for ventricular tachycardia as a late-breaking study at HRS 2023. #HRS2023

Radiotherapy VT ablation linked to encouraging 5-year outcomes

"The goal is to treat patients with life-threatening VT in a safer, faster and better way," one researcher explained.

June 2, 2023

MRI-guided EP lab ablation procedure using mapping and MRI-safe catheters from Imricor, displayed at HRS 2023. Photo by Dave Fornell

PHOTO GALLERY: Electrophysiology advances at Heart Rhythm 2023

Heart Rhythm 2023 in New Orleans brought together EP experts from all over the world. Scroll through a large selection of photos from the big event.

June 2, 2023

Sam Jones, MD, explains why CMS reduced payments for EP ablation and how it will negatively impact electrophysiology. #HRS #HRS2023 #EPeeps #EPlab #Medicare

Making sense of the huge Medicare reimbursement cuts in electrophysiology

Samuel Jones, MD, examines the large reimbursement reductions in cardiac ablations and what the impact might be on access to care in EP labs.

May 31, 2023

Around the web

Health Imaging

New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

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

Radiology Business

What does radiology have to do with climate change?

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."

Heart Rhythm

American Heart Association thinks pharmacists can play a bigger role in AFib care

2 out of 5 AFib patients develop heart failure later in life

FDA grants fast track designation to new drug for Friedreich's ataxia cardiomyopathy

FDA grants anticoagulant its orphan drug designation for treating patients with implanted devices

Biosense Webster takes key step toward FDA approval for Varipulse PFA system

Around the web