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.

Johnson & Johnson MedTech launches new 2D ICE catheter
The company says the new device was designed to improve image quality, provide additional maneuverability and simplify ablation workflows for electrophysiologists.
Johnson & Johnson MedTech ordered to pay $147M for antitrust violations
The company told Cardiovascular Business it respectfully disagrees with the jury's decision and is evaluating all possible legal options going forward. The Association of Medical Device Reprocessors, meanwhile, celebrated the news.
Cardiologists are first in world to use new cooling device to terminate AFib during surgery
Patients often develop AFib during cardiac surgery, leading to longer hospital stays, additional healthcare costs and a higher risk of mortality. Cooling the oblique sinus of the patient's heart as soon as AFib starts to develop may represent a new way to stop the problem in its tracks.
World’s first leadless LBBAP procedures linked to ‘promising’ outcomes
Cardiologists are turning to leadless pacemakers more and more for cardiac pacing, but those devices have not previously been able to perform LBBAP. This new analysis includes new data on the world’s very first leadless LBBAP procedures.
AI predicts LBBB risk in TAVR patients prior to treatment
The authors tested out a variety of machine learning techniques, including large language models and more traditional algorithms. They focused on data that can be gathered prior to treatment, ensuring cardiologists know as much as possible before the procedure.

Left bundle branch block after TAVR hurts outcomes, even when no permanent pacemaker is required

Researchers tracked data from more than 2,000 TAVR patients, focusing on cardiovascular mortality and hospitalizations for heart failure.

State of the industry: 7 big takeaways from a new report on salaries and job satisfaction in cardiology

With physician burnout on the rise and a massive physician shortage on the way, it’s more important now than ever to keep a close eye on how the country’s cardiologists—and their colleagues—are being paid.

Regulatory roundup: FDA clears new solutions from Boston Scientific, CathVision, Franklin Mountain Medical

It has been a busy few weeks for the FDA, with plenty of big-name approvals and recalls making the news, but there have also been some other big announcements related to solutions receiving FDA clearance.

Real-world Watchman patients experiencing fewer complications after LAAO than seen in clinical trials

The study's authors compared findings from the PROTECT-AF and PREVAIL clinical trials with data from the NCDR LAAO Registry, focusing on short-term and long-term outcomes.

Brugada arrhythmogenic substrate that causes VT and sudden cardiac death. This study showed ablation of this substrate area could help prevent sudden cardiac arrest in these patients.

Epicardial ablation in Brugada syndrome reduces sudden cardiac death

A late-breaking study at Heart Rhythm 2022 found epicardial ablation in Brugada syndrome helped significantly reduce sudden cardiac arrest in these patients, increasing their survival.

Same-day discharge for AFib ablation a success thanks to telehealth

The new analysis, presented during Heart Rhythm 2022, focused on patients treated at a high-volume facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.

VIDEO: How to implant a Linq implantable cardiac monitor

The Medtronic Linq and Linq II implantable cardiac monitors (ICM) have become some of the most popular ICM devices on the market, partly because they are easy to insert.

Same-day discharge after LAAO associated with strong outcomes, significant cost savings

A new analysis found that 30-day outcomes do not significantly change when LAAO patients go home the same day as their procedure.

Electrophysiology

Johnson & Johnson MedTech launches new 2D ICE catheter

Johnson & Johnson MedTech ordered to pay $147M for antitrust violations

Cardiologists are first in world to use new cooling device to terminate AFib during surgery

World’s first leadless LBBAP procedures linked to ‘promising’ outcomes

AI predicts LBBB risk in TAVR patients prior to treatment