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.

P‐waves can help identify Black patients prone to developing AFib
Research that followed patients for more than 13 years suggests increases in ECG PR interval, P‐wave duration and PTFV1 are associated with increased AFib risk in this cohort.
New-onset AFib is common after CABG—but typically not persistent or symptomatic
The study's authors questioned if these patients should even be given oral anticoagulation as currently recommended.
Field Medical’s PFA system for ventricular tachycardia shows early potential
More research is still required, but Field Medical's FieldForce Ablation System may represent a significant step forward in the treatment of scar-related ventricular tachycardia.
Medtech companies working together on robotic PFA system
Stereotaxis and CardioFocus are collaborating on a new robotic pulsed field ablation system. After completing some initial research, the companies are now working toward the launch of a clinical trial.
Q&A: What cardiologists know and don’t know about pulsed field ablation
Peter Weiss, MD, a veteran electrophysiologist, sat down with Cardiovascular Business to discuss the ongoing rise of pulsed field ablation. While he's impressed with the technology, he says many questions remain about its long-term value.

The next generation Watchman device is designed to better seal off complex LAA anatomy to prevent strokes in atrial fibrillation patients. It uses an optimized architecture to fill gaps and adapt to the unique characteristics of each patient's appendage, which come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

Next-generation Watchman enters trial in 2026 as LAAO volume grows

The next-generation Watchman device is designed to better seal off complex LAA anatomy in a variety of LAA shapes and sizes.

Sentiar CommandEP mixed reality system virtual screens augmented reality

Virtual screens could make augmented reality more useful during cardiac ablation

It's still early, but a new feature could provide significant value when electrophysiologists use augmented reality during ablation procedures.

Abbott has recalled its TactiFlex Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled, because of reports that the tip can separate.

Abbott warns EP labs the tip can detach from its TactiFlex ablation catheters

Improper removal of the catheter from the packaging can result in tip damage. Most damaged tips were detected prior to being used, but three tips did separate inside patients.

Update: FDA confirms recalls for defibrillation leads after nearly 400 injuries

Safety concerns with certain Boston Scientific leads have resulted in multiple Class I recalls, the FDA has announced. The agency first shared a warning about this issue in August.

Boston Scientific to purchase Elutia’s drug-eluting envelope business for $88M

The FDA-cleared EluPro bioenvelope delivers two antibiotics to patients over an extended period of time after they receive an implantable pacemaker or defibrillator to cut infection rates.

Exploring the link between left ventricular diastolic function and AFib

Evaluating LVDF with echocardiography or AI-powered electrocardiography can help identify individuals at an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation, according to new data presented at the ASE 36th Annual Scientific Sessions.

Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

Q&A: Cardiologist explores CMS proposal to cover cardiac ablations performed in ambulatory surgical centers

CMS has proposed a policy shift that would allow cardiac ablation procedures to be performed in ambulatory surgical centers. Arash Aryana, MD, PhD, a veteran cardiac electrophysiologist, explained why he is "extremely encouraged" by this proposal, highlighting several potential benefits.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted pre-market approval (PMA) for the Globe Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) System, and 510(k) clearance for both the Globe introducer sheath and the Globe Pulsed Field System mapping software from Kardium Inc. This add another competitor in the growing U.S. PFA market to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib).

FDA clears Kardium Globe pulsed field ablation system

It is the only integrated system that combines high-density mapping and PFA in a single device. The system uses a 122-electrode spherical array to enable rapid, single-shot pulmonary vein isolation, helping to streamline workflows.

Heart Rhythm

P‐waves can help identify Black patients prone to developing AFib

New-onset AFib is common after CABG—but typically not persistent or symptomatic

Field Medical’s PFA system for ventricular tachycardia shows early potential

Medtech companies working together on robotic PFA system

Q&A: What cardiologists know and don’t know about pulsed field ablation