Heart Rhythm

Hearts should have normal rhythm to their beats, but when these beats are out of synch, it causes inefficient pumping of blood. Irregular heart arrhythmias occur when the electrical signals that coordinate the heart's beats do not work properly. This can cause beats that are too fast (tachycardia), or too slow (bradycardia). Tachycardias include atrial fibrillation (AFib), supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia (VT). Bradycardias include sick sinus syndrome and conduction block. Electrophysiology arrhythmia treatments include medications, life style changes, and the EP lab interventions of catheter ablation, and implantable pacemakers or defibrillators.

heart ice cool cold freezing frozen

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. 

Cardiologist heart

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. 

artificial intelligence heart AI

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.

cannabis use disorder marijuana joint weed smoking

Consistent cannabis use linked to multiple cardiovascular risks for heart failure patients

Cannabis use can be especially harmful for heart failure patients, according to new data presented at SCAI 2025.

Jewel Patch Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator from Element Science

FDA approves new AI-enabled wearable cardioverter defibrillator

The newly approved device can be worn for up to a week at a time, with no daily maintenance required, and includes advanced AI algorithms that minimize the risk of false alarms or inappropriate shocks.

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PFA associated with elevated risk of heart damage, real-world data show

Patient outcomes do not appear to be negatively impacted by these risks, researchers noted. The new data were presented at Heart Rhythm 2025 and published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.

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Champagne could be good for the heart—and other lessons from a new risk analysis

Researchers explored the potential impact of more than 100 risk factors on a person's risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Some of their findings were what you may expect, but others were much more surprising.

doctor with overweight patient who may be treated with TAVR or surgery

Bayer's finerenone reduces risk of AFib, atrial flutter in all CKM syndrome patients

New data published in JACC represents another big win for Bayer's finerenone. The drug has previously been linked to cardiovascular benefits for patients with CKD and heart failure, but its potential across the full CKM spectrum remained a bit of a mystery.