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.

P‐waves can help identify Black patients prone to developing AFib
Research that followed patients for more than 13 years suggests increases in ECG PR interval, P‐wave duration and PTFV1 are associated with increased AFib risk in this cohort.
New-onset AFib is common after CABG—but typically not persistent or symptomatic
The study's authors questioned if these patients should even be given oral anticoagulation as currently recommended.
Field Medical’s PFA system for ventricular tachycardia shows early potential
More research is still required, but Field Medical's FieldForce Ablation System may represent a significant step forward in the treatment of scar-related ventricular tachycardia.
Medtech companies working together on robotic PFA system
Stereotaxis and CardioFocus are collaborating on a new robotic pulsed field ablation system. After completing some initial research, the companies are now working toward the launch of a clinical trial.
Q&A: What cardiologists know and don’t know about pulsed field ablation
Peter Weiss, MD, a veteran electrophysiologist, sat down with Cardiovascular Business to discuss the ongoing rise of pulsed field ablation. While he's impressed with the technology, he says many questions remain about its long-term value.

Pulsed-field ablation as safe and effective as thermal ablation when treating paroxysmal AFib

Boston Scientific, which funded the study, hopes these results can help the company gain FDA approval for its PFA device in the months ahead.

Withings Body Scan Connected Health Station FDA cleared

FDA clears new smart scale capable of detecting AFib, other cardiovascular issues

The Body Scan Connected Health Station includes a high-strength glass platform with four weight sensors and 14 ITO electrodes and a retractable handle with four stainless steel electrodes.

Beloved cardiologist Albert Waldo remembered for his lasting impact on electrophysiology

Waldo was a founding member of the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology, which is now known as the Heart Rhythm Society, and was revered for his helpfulness and kindness.

device implantation during left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedures

Mitigating risk: How the depth of device implantation impacts LAAO outcomes

Researchers examined data from more than 1,300 procedures, presenting their findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

A complete list of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2023 Congress late-breaking Hot Line sessions. #ESCCongress

ESC Congress 2023 to feature 30 late-breaking clinical trials

The European Society of Cardiology's annual meeting is scheduled for Aug. 25-28, 2023, in Amsterdam.

FDA clears 2 new AI models that help with the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias

The two algorithms are now commercially available on a price-per-use basis.

FDA highlights importance of including heart rhythm risks on drug labels

The agency has shared a new draft guidance focused on the inclusion of information related to QTc interval prolongation.

Boston Scientific’s POLARx Cryoablation System for atrial fibrillation gained FDA approval in August 2023.

FDA approves Boston Scientific’s new cryoablation system for AFib

The system includes an expandable cryoablation balloon catheter compatible with multiple balloon sizes.

Electrophysiology

P‐waves can help identify Black patients prone to developing AFib

New-onset AFib is common after CABG—but typically not persistent or symptomatic

Field Medical’s PFA system for ventricular tachycardia shows early potential

Medtech companies working together on robotic PFA system

Q&A: What cardiologists know and don’t know about pulsed field ablation