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.

Kestra Medical Technologies

Wearable heart device company to go public, raise up to $155M

Kestra Medical Technologies, known for its wearable heart monitors and defibrillators, intends to sell 10 million common shares priced somewhere between $14 and $16 per share. 

FDA announces Class I recall of Boston Scientific pacemakers—replacement may be necessary

These safety issues have been linked to more than 800 injuries and two deaths. It is possible, the FDA warned, that some patients may require a device to be removed and replaced. 

Biosense Webster, part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, shared updated data on its Varipulse pulsed field ablation (PFA) system at AF Symposium 2024 in Boston,

Johnson & Johnson resumes PFA rollout after stopping to review safety concerns

Johnson & Johnson MedTech has resumed the U.S. rollout of its Varipulse PFA system, sharing new warnings to help physicians. 

AI artificial intelligence stethoscope doctor

LAAO or DOAC? Mayo Clinic AI helps guide treatment of AFib patients

It can be challenging to know which AFib patients are the best candidates for LAAO. A new algorithm out of Mayo Clinic aims to address that problem. 

healthcare money economics dollar stethoscope acquire merger

Novartis to acquire drugmaker behind new heart therapy for up to $3.1B

The FDA has already shown great interest in the drug, which is designed to help AFib patients reduce their stroke and systemic embolism risks.

dental floss

Be good to your teeth: Regular flossing reduces risk of stroke, AFib

The difference in atrial fibrillation risk was unexpected, surprising researchers.

A majority of Americans use a device to monitor their heart health, according to a new survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. However, just 25% of those users take that extra step and share their data with a cardiologist or primary care provider.

Most Americans use devices to monitor their heart—just 1 in 4 share the data with doctors

Just a small fraction of the people tracking their own heart health are actually doing anything with the data, according to a new survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

AED in a hospital

Philips to sell its emergency care business to private equity firm

Bridgefield Capital, founded in 2015, has previously invested in such popular brands as Cirque Du Soleil, Del Monte and Quiksilver. This transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025.