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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An example if an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD and its leads connected to the heart. As the leads or deveice wears out, there are recommendations to remove the leads and put in new ones. Image courtesy of RSNA

Infection, heart failure the most common reasons for early mortality after transvenous lead removal

Early mortality specifically related to complications during the TLR procedure was quite rare. 

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Elevated uric acid levels linked to new-onset AFib

According to new data published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, atrial fibrillation can be added to the list of cardiovascular conditions associated with above-average uric acid levels. 

Stroke patients with AFib face a higher mortality risk after thrombectomy

A comparative meta-analysis found similar procedural outcomes, but higher 90-day mortality—partially attributable to a higher rate of comorbidities.

Christine Seidman, MD, director of the cardiovascular genetics program, cardiovascular medicine specialist, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, discusses the use of genetics to crack the code of cardiovascular diseases to enable earlier prevention and interventions. She was named the winner of the American Heart Association (AHA) 2022 Research Achievement Award, AHA's highest honor.

VIDEO: Using genetics in cardiology to enable earlier interventions

Christine Seidman, MD, director of the cardiovascular genetics program at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, spoke to us about using genetics to crack the code of cardiovascular disease. 

Hamlin Buffalo Bills cardiac arrest NFL

Damar Hamlin update: Buffalo Bills safety now communicating with doctors after cardiac arrest

“This marks a turning point in his ongoing care,” one doctor said in a statement. 

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into sudden cardiac arrest after a tackle during the first quarter of the game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati Jan 2, 2023. The incident has instantly raised awareness and brought sudden cardiac arrest to the forefront on news reports today. Image from Buffalo Bills

Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin incident brings sudden cardiac arrest into national headlines

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after a tackle during the first quarter of a game with the Cincinnati Bengals on Jan 2.

COVID-19 infection and vaccination linked to debilitating heart condition—risk from vaccines ‘relatively slim’

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is a significant, but treatable condition. The risk among COVID-19 patients was considerably higher than the risk after vaccination, researchers explained. 

Most devices implanted during LAAO procedures are oversized—and patients benefit

Oversized devices are becoming more common as time goes on, which suggests operators are growing increasingly comfortable with this treatment choice.

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