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.

New analysis explores the connection between HIV and sudden cardiac death

Myocardial fibrosis was more common among people with a confirmed HIV diagnosis, the authors found.

June 25, 2021

The patient, a 78-year-old female, began showing signs of a negative reaction within 20 hours.

June 24, 2021

Medtronic gains expanded FDA approval for Arctic Front cryoablation catheters

The full Arctic Front line is now approved as a first-line treatment for heart rhythm issues.

June 22, 2021

Time for a change? AFib patients may want to stop drinking alcohol

Alcohol consumption is associated with a heightened risk of stroke among patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation.

June 18, 2021

How different cancer types impact a person's AFib risk

The study's authors examined data from more than 816,000 patients who were diagnosed with cancer from 2009 to 2016.

June 17, 2021

American College of Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Society launch new efforts to boost AFib care in underserved areas

The new collaboration is designed to help clinicians reach and treat AFib patients in communities that don't always receive the most attention.

June 17, 2021

IVUS guidance during DES implantation boosts long-term outcomes in new study

AFib patients are missing out on the care they need

The study, published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, included data from more than 3,000 patients.

June 14, 2021

Long-term cardiac monitoring detects unsuspected AFib among stroke patients

After 12 months, AFib detection was much higher in stroke patients treated with an insertable cardiac monitor than those who received usual care.

June 2, 2021

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