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.

Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

New LAAO guidelines: 6 key takeaways for interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists

SCAI and HRS have collaborated on new guidelines designed to help clinicians make the safest, smartest treatment decisions possible.

Early rhythm control boosts AFib outcomes for patients with obesity, diabetes

Researchers expected these conditions to reduce the benefits of early treatment. However, that was not the case.

cardiologists heart doctors heart research heart data

Colchicine reduces risk of some TAVR complications

Giving colchicine to patients prior to TAVR may reduce the risk of certain conduction disturbances, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. It does not, however, improve survival.

Boston Scientific Reliance 4-Front defibrillation leads

Boston Scientific warns that certain defibrillation leads may put patients at risk

The issue, associated with calcification, can make these devices less effective over time. The Heart Rhythm Society shared a detailed analysis of the situation.

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.

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