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.

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AFib ablation in young adults linked to improved quality of life, new Cleveland Clinic study confirms

“These and other data support that young adults do as well as a more traditional patient population when looking at arrhythmia-free survival,” researchers wrote.

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Links to all the late-breaking trials for Heart Rhythm 2023

Heart Rhythm 2023, the society's 44th annual meeting, is scheduled for May 19-21. 

Samsung galaxy smartwatch showing atrial fibrillation (AFib) alerts

FDA clears AFib alerts for Samsung smartwatches

Samsung's smartwatches, already equipped with ECG technology, will now be able to alert users when signs of an irregular heart rhythm are detected. 

The Medtronic Micra leadless pacemaker implanted inside the heart. It is about the size of a large vitamin pill and is implanted using a catheter.

Medtronic’s next-generation leadless pacemakers gain FDA approval

The two new leadless pacemakers, the Micra AV2 and Micra VR2, feature much longer batteries than previous models. 

COVID-19 linked to elevated risk of life-threatening arrhythmia

Patients with severe COVID-19 cases that required ventilation were 16 times more likely to develop ventricular tachycardia within six months, researchers found. 

Damar Hamlin discusses his NFL return following sudden cardiac arrest

Damar Hamlin, now cleared for NFL return, shares the cause of his on-the-field cardiac arrest

 “This event was life-changing, but it is not the end of my story,” Hamlin said during a press conference. 

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Leadless pacemakers appear to be safe, effective in children with bradycardia

“Leadless pacemaker technology is the wave of the future,” one researcher said. “This is an excellent technology that may be offered to a wider pediatric population."

Medtronic just launched its MRI Care Pathway, a new system that can streamline the process of completing MRI scans for patients with Medtronic MRI compatible cardiac devices.

Medtronic streamlines MRI screening, scanning for patients with implanted cardiac devices

Medtronic launched its MRI Care Pathway, a new system that can streamline the process of completing MRI scans for patients with compatible cardiac devices.