Electrophysiology

The cardiac subspecialty of electrophysiology (EP) diagnoses and treats arrhythmias. This includes use of pacemakers to treat bradycardia, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) for tachycardia, heart failure and patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and cardiac ablation treatments to treat heart rhythm disorders.

FDA announces recall of cryoablation catheters after multiple injuries, including 4 deaths
Boston Scientific is recalling the catheters associated with its POLARx Cryoablation System due to a heightened risk of esophageal injury. The FDA has ruled that this a Class I recall.
Cardiologists perform world’s first leadless LBBAP procedures with Abbott pacemaker
The first-in-human procedures were performed in Prague with the investigational Aveir CSP leadless pacemaker system.
President of medical device company resigns over conduct allegations after 7 months in role
Joseph C. Wright, a longtime Merit Medical employee, resigned after unspecified allegations regarding his conduct were brought to light. He was named the company's new president back in May.
FDA and Boston Scientific issue urgent alert about pacemaker failures following 2 deaths
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the recall notice for more than 200,000 pacemakers because a battery issue could lock the device in safe mode.
Treating AFib patients with TAVR still linked to elevated risks
While the technology and techniques associated with TAVR have advanced over the years, treating patients who present with baseline atrial fibrillation is still associated with certain risks.

Abbott FlexAbility Sensor Enabled Ablation Catheter FDA

Abbott gains new FDA approval for one catheter, CE mark approval for a second catheter

Both devices were approved for treating significant heart rhythm issues.

February 2, 2023

Atrial Fibrillation and its location in the atrium detected using the Vektor arrhythmia detection software. COVID infection can cause the development of AFib, AF, in patients as a long-COVID symptom.

VIDEO: The link between COVID-19 and atrial fibrillation

Peter Libby, MD, a cardiovascular medicine specialist with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, discussed the cases of AFib being seen in long-COVID patients.

January 30, 2023

Severe gum infections linked to heightened AFib risk

Researchers are still working to determine if gum disease leads to heart rhythm issues or if is actually the other way around.

January 27, 2023

$Extracorporeal CPR refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest$

Extracorporeal CPR for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: New research fails to provide answers

While a previous study had found that extracorporeal CPR outperformed conventional CPR among patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, a newer analysis suggests the two treatment options result in similar outcomes.

January 27, 2023

An example if an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD and its leads connected to the heart. As the leads or deveice wears out, there are recommendations to remove the leads and put in new ones. Image courtesy of RSNA

Infection, heart failure the most common reasons for early mortality after transvenous lead removal

Early mortality specifically related to complications during the TLR procedure was quite rare.

January 20, 2023

Elevated uric acid levels linked to new-onset AFib

According to new data published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, atrial fibrillation can be added to the list of cardiovascular conditions associated with above-average uric acid levels.

January 13, 2023

The Shimadzu Trinias SCORE Opera Angiography system at RSNA 2022. It offers dose lowering technologies and workflow efficiencies. #RSNA #RSNA22

VIDEO: Shimadzu lowers dose and speeds workflow with new Trinias SCORE Opera angiography system

Electrophysiology

FDA announces recall of cryoablation catheters after multiple injuries, including 4 deaths

Cardiologists perform world’s first leadless LBBAP procedures with Abbott pacemaker

President of medical device company resigns over conduct allegations after 7 months in role

FDA and Boston Scientific issue urgent alert about pacemaker failures following 2 deaths

Treating AFib patients with TAVR still linked to elevated risks