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.

COVID-19 patients with abnormal heart rhythms face a greater risk of death

"Patients and physicians need to monitor for these arrhythmias closely and treatments needs to be timely," one researcher warned.

November 11, 2020

Long-term anticoagulation a safe treatment option for elderly AFib patients

Long-term anticoagulation can be recommended for AFib patients 90 years old and older, according to new research.

November 11, 2020

Newest hydroxychloroquine data ‘do not support’ use as COVID-19 treatment

This latest analysis compared the outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients treated with hydroxychloroquine and those who received a placebo.

November 9, 2020

Cardiac resynchronization therapy benefits patients with severe LV dysfunction

No procedure-related deaths were reported, and an absolute LVEF improvement of more than 5% was present in nearly 49% of patients.

November 5, 2020

New-look implantable device can identify, treat heart disease

The patch harvests energy from each heartbeat, allowing it to operate with no external power source.

November 4, 2020

Obese men with type 2 diabetes face an increased risk of AFib

These findings are especially important, the authors wrote, because they suggest there may be a new way to personalize patient care.

November 4, 2020

Catheter ablation improves LVEF, boosts survival for heart failure patients with atrial fibrillation

Catheter ablation was consistently linked to more substantial LVEF improvements than pharmacological therapy.

October 23, 2020

New ablation technique for atrial fibrillation proven safe and effective in first-in-human study

Irreversible electroporation, the authors noted, could help clinicians avoid the drawbacks of thermal ablation

October 21, 2020

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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