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.

Johnson & Johnson to acquire Atraverse Medical
The move, once finalized, helps Johnson & Johnson add multiple FDA-approved technologies to its EP portfolio.
Heart Rhythm 2026: Electrophysiologist Mina Chung discusses CPR, PFA and much more
Mina Chung, MD, who just concluded a one-year term as Heart Rhythm Society's president, spoke to Cardiovascular Business about successes from the past year as well as her goals for the future.
PFA's dominance and other key electrophysiology trends on display at Heart Rhythm 2026
Heart Rhythm 2026 Program Chair DJ Lakkireddy, MD, spoke to Cardiovascular Business during the conference about several key EP trends.
Boston Scientific pacemakers recalled again—software update now available
The new Class I recall, which includes more than 1.4 million devices, is related to an issue first announced back in 2024. Updating the software should address the issue going forward, though some patients may still require an early replacement.
Multiple GLP-1 drugs linked to lower AFib risk
The popular drugs, originally developed to treat diabetes, were also associated with an improved survival rate. Benefits were seen in patients who did and did not lose significant weight as a result of treatment.

Johnson & Johnson to acquire Atraverse Medical

The move, once finalized, helps Johnson & Johnson add multiple FDA-approved technologies to its EP portfolio.

HRS President, Mina Chung, MD, FHRS, staff cardiologist and Professor of Medicine in the Section of Pacing and Electrophysiology, Heart & Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic. Explains HRS accomplishments in the past year in terms of advocacy efforts and policy concerns impacting EP. #HRS2026 #EPeeps

Heart Rhythm 2026: Electrophysiologist Mina Chung discusses CPR, PFA and much more

Mina Chung, MD, who just concluded a one-year term as Heart Rhythm Society's president, spoke to Cardiovascular Business about successes from the past year as well as her goals for the future.

Heart Rhythm 2026 Program Chair Dhanunjaya "DJ" Lakkireddy, MD, MBA, FHRS, Executive Medical Director, Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute, and professor of medicine at the University of Kansas Health System, offers an overview of key trends in electrophysiology (EP) technology.

PFA's dominance and other key electrophysiology trends on display at Heart Rhythm 2026

Heart Rhythm 2026 Program Chair DJ Lakkireddy, MD, spoke to Cardiovascular Business during the conference about several key EP trends.

FDA recall medical device recall product recall

Boston Scientific pacemakers recalled again—software update now available

The new Class I recall, which includes more than 1.4 million devices, is related to an issue first announced back in 2024. Updating the software should address the issue going forward, though some patients may still require an early replacement.

GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1-RAs) have become the wonder drug not only of weight loss, but also for improving cardiovascular health in a growing number of positive cardiovascular trials. The latest study of more than 13,000 patients presented at Heart Rhythm 2026 this week showed the GLP-1 reduce atrial fibrillation (AFib) and survival, even after accounting for the drug’s impact on weight loss.

Multiple GLP-1 drugs linked to lower AFib risk

The popular drugs, originally developed to treat diabetes, were also associated with an improved survival rate. Benefits were seen in patients who did and did not lose significant weight as a result of treatment.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted market clearance for Biotronik's Acticor Sky and Rivacor Sky implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) systems. The new technology will be launches at the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) annual meeting this week. #HRS2026

FDA approves 2 implantable heart devices from Biotronik

These devices were built to provide better patient data and improve clinician workflows. They will be on display at Heart Rhythm 2026 in Chicago.

Nathan McConkey, DO, MPH, an electrophysiologist with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), made history when he used the Magic Magnetic Interventional Ablation Catheter.

Cardiologist makes ‘Magic,’ performs first procedure in US with new-look ablation catheter

Users guide the robotically navigated catheter using computer-controlled magnetic fields. It gained FDA approval in January.

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.

How to prevent the most common complication after heart surgery

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons put together an expert committee to examine the prevention and treatment of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery. The group shared recommendations for before, during and after treatment.