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.

ICD patients may experience fear, anxiety or depression due to their devices
Some patients feel anxiety due to the risk of being shocked. Others have device recalls and/or cybersecurity threats on their mind.
FDA clears first robotically guided EP mapping catheter for ablation
Stereotaxis has received FDA clearance for the first mapping catheter of its kind. The company emphasized that this is just the first of many robotically navigated devices it is working to bring to the U.S. market.
New drug candidate for AFib fails in first-in-human trial—in fact, it made matters worse
Researchers had thought 2-HOBA might reduce the risk of AFib recurrence after catheter ablation procedures. What they found, however, was that treatment with the compound was actually harmful for patients instead of helpful.
New gene therapy for rare heart condition gains FDA’s fast track designation
Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia is a rare, potentially fatal heart rhythm disorder. A new gene therapy candidate from Solid Biosciences is now one step closer to FDA approval.
New Philips platform offers AI-powered ECG tools from outside vendors
Philips has launched a new 'AI Marketplace' that expands access to third-party diagnostic tools. The company's goal is to put a variety of offerings into one convenient location for clinicians.

ICD patients may experience fear, anxiety or depression due to their devices

Some patients feel anxiety due to the risk of being shocked. Others have device recalls and/or cybersecurity threats on their mind.

Stereotaxis MAGIC SWEEP electrophysiology catheter

FDA clears first robotically guided EP mapping catheter for ablation

Stereotaxis has received FDA clearance for the first mapping catheter of its kind. The company emphasized that this is just the first of many robotically navigated devices it is working to bring to the U.S. market.

New drug candidate for AFib fails in first-in-human trial—in fact, it made matters worse

Researchers had thought 2-HOBA might reduce the risk of AFib recurrence after catheter ablation procedures. What they found, however, was that treatment with the compound was actually harmful for patients instead of helpful.

Compensation for U.S. cardiologists is up across the board, according to a recent survey published by MedAxiom, an American College of Cardiology company. The report identified similar trends for cardiovascular surgeons, highlighting the country’s high demand for all heart specialists in 2024 and beyond.

New gene therapy for rare heart condition gains FDA’s fast track designation

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia is a rare, potentially fatal heart rhythm disorder. A new gene therapy candidate from Solid Biosciences is now one step closer to FDA approval.

Philips Healthcare launched the Philips ECG AI Marketplace platform that gives cardiac care teams access to multiple vendor offerings in one central location to more efficiently manage and implement artificial intelligence (AI)-powered diagnostic tools through Philips ECG workstations.

New Philips platform offers AI-powered ECG tools from outside vendors

Philips has launched a new 'AI Marketplace' that expands access to third-party diagnostic tools. The company's goal is to put a variety of offerings into one convenient location for clinicians.

The late-breaking U.S. multicenter admIRE clinical trial at the Heart Rhythm Society 2024 meeting, showed positive data on the long-term safety and effectiveness of the the Biosense Webster Varipulse pulsed field ablation (PFA) system in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. #HRS #HRS2024 #PFA

Update to Johnson & Johnson PFA platform gains FDA approval

The Varipulse PFA platform originally gained FDA approval in 2024. According to Johnson & Johnson MedTech, this update was put in place to help the technology provide better patient outcomes going forward.

Congress Money washington DC legislation coverage payment

With MPFS proposal on the way, electrophysiology groups outline their priorities

The Heart Rhythm Society and its new advocacy arm plan on pushing CMS to include certain policy improvements in the 2026 MPFS.

Farapulse Boston Scientific Pulsed Field Ablation PFA fda approval

FDA expands approval of Boston Scientific’s Farapulse PFA system

The FDA's 2024 approval of the Farapulse system covered patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Now, however, the technology is officially approved for patients with more persistent symptoms.