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.

Early epinephrine treatment during cardiac arrest increases chance of a good recovery

Patients who received epinephrine within four minutes after the first shock from an AED had a better chance of recovery.

November 8, 2021
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Some cancer immunotherapies may increase the risk of myocarditis

The study's authors tracked data from facilities in 11 different countries, examining imaging findings from patients with ICI-related myocarditis. 

November 8, 2021
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Tracking false-positive alerts among cardiac patients

“The findings of this study highlight the need for strategies to reduce and manage the burden of false-positive ILR alerts,” the researchers said.

November 1, 2021

DOACs outperform VKAs for stroke prevention in AFib patients

This was the first analysis of the risk of ICH in patients with AFib taking different oral anticoagulants.

November 1, 2021

Stimulants increase the short-term risk of heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia in older patients

Researchers emphasized that safety considerations should be included when stimulants are prescribed to older adults.

October 29, 2021
Fish oil supplements are used to reduce cardiovascular disease risk, but can actually increase the risk of atrial fibrillation in some patients.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements linked to a higher AFib risk, new meta-analysis confirms

The risk appears to increase more and more when patients consume a higher daily dose. 

October 26, 2021
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Many nonvalvular AFib patients skip DOAC therapy altogether

The study's authors hope their work can help with the development of new interventions that target this issue. 

October 25, 2021
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FDA clears advanced smartwatch capable of detecting AFib

The solution is expected to hit US markets by November. 

October 18, 2021

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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