Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., WellPoint and HealthCore, announced today that the companies are commencing a research project to identify and address unmet medical needs across populations of mutual interest.

Medtronic, Inc. today revealed the results of a new study which found that atrial fibrillation (AF) and bradycardia-two common heart rhythm disorders-occurred at higher than expected, and clinically significant, rates in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis.

The Journal of the American College of Cardiology collection continues to grow with the launch of JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, which will feature original research and review articles regarding cardiac rhythm disorders. David J. Wilber, MD, FACC, will serve as Editor-in-Chief of the new journal, which will begin publishing in March 2015 on a bimonthly basis.

Medtronic today announced Japanese regulatory approval and launch of the Evera MRI(TM) SureScan® implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) System for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans positioned on any region of the body. Reimbursement also was approved by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW). The Medtronic Evera MRI ICD is currently limited to investigational use in the United States.

October 30, 2014 - GreatCall, Inc., the leader in creating mobile health and safety solutions for active aging, is bringing the ability to affordably track heart health anywhere, anytime to its Touch3 smartphone as a pilot program. The AliveCor® Heart Monitor is now available as a Touch3 accessory, enabling those with suspected or diagnosed heart conditions as well as those at risk of heart conditions to fully participate in their own cardiac health.

Boston Scientific Corporation has received CE Mark approval for the ACCOLADETM pacemaker family. When implanted with the company's INGEVITYTM leads, ACCOLADE pacemakers are the first to enable patients to receive full-body MRI scans in both 1.5 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla systems. In addition, the Boston Scientific ImageReadyTM technology offers the most flexible MRI options, allowing higher energy scan sequences, and featuring a programmable MRI timer designed to improve patient workflow.

Today, the electrophysiology service of the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Heart, Vascular and Stroke Care announces participation in a new Transatlantic Network of Excellence as part of a $6 million award from the Leducq Foundation.

Cardiologists on the medical staff at Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital (BHVH) today implanted an investigational cardiac pacemaker the size of a multivitamin. The first implantable pacemakers, developed in the late-1950s, were nearer the size of a transistor radio.