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.

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.
Cardiologists are first in world to remove unstable Watchman devices with FDA-cleared retrieval system
A team of specialists in Houston made history, using the new-look device to treat three patients over the age of 80. The group shared its experience in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.

Bariatric surgery associated with lower risk of death and cardiovascular disease

Researchers examined data from 39 different studies, focusing on mortality rates and adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

March 18, 2022

ACC consensus explains what cardiologists should look for in long COVID-19

The new consensus document provides a framework for understanding, evaluating, and managing some of the key cardiovascular sequelae of COVID-19

March 15, 2022

AI-powered ECG analysis could boost care for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Advanced algorithms can pick up on key details in a 12-lead ECG that human readers are unable to see.

March 11, 2022

EHRA 2022, the yearly get-together hosted by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA), is scheduled for April 3-5 at the Bella Center in Copenhagen, Denmark. European Society of Cardiology

AFib, AI and heart-healthy diets: European Society of Cardiology previews EHRA 2022

The European Heart Rhythm Association's annual conference is headed to Denmark.

March 11, 2022

Screening older patients for AFib during regular care is feasible, but not productive

Screening did provide some value for patients 85 years and older, but more research is still required.

March 10, 2022

durbin-ama-opioid. The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) have published new guidelines focused on the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients with chronic coronary disease (CCD).

DOACs an effective substitute for VKAs after AFib patients undergo bioprosthetic valve replacement

Direct oral anticoagulants are noninferior to vitamin K antagonists when treating this important patient population, researchers reported.

March 9, 2022

Cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) can be used to significantly improve mortality and hospitalization rates among older heart failure patients. CRT-D illustration courtesy of Boston Scientific.

CRT-D associated with major improvements among older HFrEF patients

The study's authors said CRT use among older patients represents a "major gap in knowledge."

March 3, 2022

The Vektor Medical vMap system takes standard 12-lead ECGs and converts them into detailed electro anatomical maps for us in catheter ablation procedures.

Electrophysiologists debut new technology that builds interactive cardiac maps out of 12-lead ECGs

The solution, which gained FDA clearance in November 2021, is now being used by specialists at the University of California San Diego Health.

February 18, 2022

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Heart Rhythm

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

Cardiologists are first in world to remove unstable Watchman devices with FDA-cleared retrieval system

Around the web