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.

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E-cigarettes linked to AFib, other heart rhythm issues in ‘highly concerning’ new study

“The findings of this study are important because they provide fresh evidence that the use of e-cigarettes could interfere with normal heart rhythms—something we did not know before,” according to one specialist. 

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Researchers awarded $31M to study conduction system pacing among heart failure patients

“Once the study begins, it will likely be one of the largest heart pacing clinical trials happening in the world over the next few years," one specialist said. 

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LAAO equally effective for men and women, new long-term study confirms

In-hospital complications are more common among women who undergo LAAO than men. However, according to a new study in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, men and women have similar long-term outcomes.

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Marijuana, meth, cocaine and opiates all linked to heart rhythm issues

Reviewing data from more than 23.5 million U.S. patients, the study's authors found that methamphetamine use was linked to a whopping 86% increase in a patient's AFib risk. The other substances included in the analysis were not far behind. 

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Apixaban outperforms rivaroxaban when treating patients with AFib and valvular heart disease

Researchers explored data from nearly 20,000 patients, sharing their findings in Annals of Internal Medicine.

The Medtronic SelectSecure MRI SureScan Model 3830 cardiac lead already gained FDA approval for His-Bundle pacing back in 2018. Now, the lead is also approved for left bundle branch area pacing, providing users with another option when treating patients for bradycardia. According to Medtronic, this marks the first time the FDA has approved a device for this indication.

Medtronic cardiac lead the first to receive FDA approval for conduction system pacing

The company’s SelectSecure MRI SureScan Model 3830 cardiac lead already gained FDA approval for His-Bundle pacing back in 2018. Now, the lead is also approved for left bundle branch area pacing.

CT has been used for planning and procedural guidance in pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for about 20 years. It shows the anatomy to the electrophysiologist. The EPs also can load the imaging into their EP mapping system. It also shows them the location of the esophagus and the phrenic nerve so they can avoid these during the procedures. #PVI #EPeeps

VIDEO: The expanding role of cardiac CT in electrophysiology

Harold Litt, MD, division chief of cardiothoracic imaging and director of the Center for Advanced CT Imaging Sciences at the Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, explains the role of cardiac CT in EP procedures.

A FEOPS image of a Watchman LAA occluder device being checked for virtual sizing in an anatomical model of the patient's left atrial appendage. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, MD, explains the role and technology of LAA closure devices in managing AFib patients.

VIDEO: The value of left atrial appendage occlusion in AFib patients

Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, MD, executive medical director for the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute at HCA Midwest Health, explains recent trials in left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) and how the therapy helps atrial fibrillation (AFib) patients.