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.

Daniel Cantillon, MD, said the first leadless, dual-chamber pacing system performed very well in the Aveir dual-chamber i2i trial. #HRS #HRS23

Early success of dual-chamber leadless pacemaker suggests big changes could be on the horizon

Daniel Cantillon, MD, explained why the positive performance of Abbott's Aveir dual-chamber leadless pacemaker could lead to considerable improvements in patient care.

A figure from the HRS remote monitoring consensus document on staffing challenges with remote monitoring.

Electrophysiology experts issue recommendations for remote monitoring of CIEDs

The Heart Rhythm Society released a new expert consensus statement on the management of remote device clinics for implantable EP devices.

The EBR Systems WiSE leadless cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) system. #HRS23

A leadless pacemaker the size of a grain of rice delivers cardiac resynchronization therapy

Results from a pivotal clinical trial presented as a late-breaker at Heart Rhythm 2023 indicate that a new leadless pacemaker technology can deliver cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients who were not able to be treated with conventional CRT and epicardial leads.

Left bundle branch pacing emerges as an alternative to biventricular pacing in two late-breaking trials

The use of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) is growing in electrophysiology implanted devices. Two late-breaking studies at Heart Rhythm 2023 highlight the success of LBBAP as an alternative to the standard of care using biventricular pacing.

Abbott’s new long-term ICM gains FDA approval

The newly approved device is powered by Bluetooth technology and available with a three- or six-year battery.

FDA grants fast track designation to Bayer’s new drug for preventing stroke in AFib patients

The new drug, asundexian, is currently the subject of two multicenter Phase III studies—the OCEANIC-AF trial and OCEANIC-STROKE trial—focused on its safety and efficacy.

AFib ablation in young adults linked to improved quality of life, new Cleveland Clinic study confirms

“These and other data support that young adults do as well as a more traditional patient population when looking at arrhythmia-free survival,” researchers wrote.

Links to all the late-breaking trials for Heart Rhythm 2023

Heart Rhythm 2023, the society's 44th annual meeting, is scheduled for May 19-21.

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