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.

Older LAAO patients, especially women, face a higher risk of complications

Researchers explored data from the National Inpatient Sample, sharing their findings in the American Journal of Cardiology.

March 21, 2022

A CT image from the Heart Institute in Kyiv, Ukraine, showing a Russian bullet in a civilian patient's upper lung lobe. The patient was being treated at the cardiology hospital after he tried to drive his family out of the area of the front lines and was shot at by Russian soldiers. He is being treated by cardiac surgeon Igor Mokryk MD. Photo by Igor Mokryk.

Heart hospital in Ukraine treating wounded civilians

Cardiothoracic surgeon Igor Mokryk, MD, spent last week taking his family to the Polish border. This week, he treated his first gunshot wound patient at the Heart Institute in Kyiv.

March 16, 2022

AI-powered ECG analysis could boost care for patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Advanced algorithms can pick up on key details in a 12-lead ECG that human readers are unable to see.

March 11, 2022

AFib, AI and heart-healthy diets: European Society of Cardiology previews EHRA 2022

The European Heart Rhythm Association's annual conference is headed to Denmark.

March 11, 2022

Screening older patients for AFib during regular care is feasible, but not productive

Screening did provide some value for patients 85 years and older, but more research is still required.

March 10, 2022

DOACs an effective substitute for VKAs after AFib patients undergo bioprosthetic valve replacement

Direct oral anticoagulants are noninferior to vitamin K antagonists when treating this important patient population, researchers reported.

March 9, 2022

CRT-D associated with major improvements among older HFrEF patients

The study's authors said CRT use among older patients represents a "major gap in knowledge."

March 3, 2022

The Vektor Medical vMap system takes standard 12-lead ECGs and converts them into detailed electro anatomical maps for us in catheter ablation procedures.

Electrophysiologists debut new technology that builds interactive cardiac maps out of 12-lead ECGs

The solution, which gained FDA clearance in November 2021, is now being used by specialists at the University of California San Diego Health.

February 18, 2022

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