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.

Johnson & Johnson pauses use of FDA-approved PFA system to investigate patient complications
Johnson & Johnson MedTech's Varipulse PFA system has been linked to multiple reports of "neurovascular events" in patients. The company hopes to share more information in the days ahead.
History made: Young child treated with new heart device for very first time
A care team in Illinois has performed the first heart procedure of its kind on a two-year-old patient diagnosed with Brugada syndrome.
ACC offers practical approaches for arrhythmia monitoring after stroke
The American College of Cardiology published an expert consensus on practical approaches for arrhythmia monitoring after stroke to improve post-stroke care by identifying and managing atrial fibrillation.
FDA announces recall of cryoablation catheters after multiple injuries, including 4 deaths
Boston Scientific is recalling the catheters associated with its POLARx Cryoablation System due to a heightened risk of esophageal injury. The FDA has ruled that this a Class I recall.
Cardiologists perform world’s first leadless LBBAP procedures with Abbott pacemaker
The first-in-human procedures were performed in Prague with the investigational Aveir CSP leadless pacemaker system.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements linked to a higher AFib risk, new meta-analysis confirms

The risk appears to increase more and more when patients consume a higher daily dose.

October 26, 2021

Many nonvalvular AFib patients skip DOAC therapy altogether

The study's authors hope their work can help with the development of new interventions that target this issue.

October 25, 2021

FDA clears advanced smartwatch capable of detecting AFib

The solution is expected to hit US markets by November.

October 18, 2021

Advanced age, hypertension among predictors of AFib in ESUS patients

The analysis included more than 5,000 patients who received care from December 2014 to January 2018 in one of 42 countries.

October 18, 2021

New research highlights the circadian rhythm seen in heart cells

New data published in Nature Communications may explain why heart problems are so common among shift workers.

October 15, 2021

CIED research highlights the close relationship between AFib and ischemic stroke

AFib episodes that last 5.5 hours or longer increase a patient’s risk of ischemic stroke by a significant margin.

October 7, 2021

AFib patients with COPD face worse outcomes

Researchers recommend a more comprehensive evaluation of respiratory function in AFib patients.

September 29, 2021

Heart rhythm specialists awarded $3M to develop new AFib therapy

“AFib remains a serious arrhythmia, and additional treatment options are needed,” one cardiologist said.

September 20, 2021

Heart Rhythm

Johnson & Johnson pauses use of FDA-approved PFA system to investigate patient complications

History made: Young child treated with new heart device for very first time

ACC offers practical approaches for arrhythmia monitoring after stroke

FDA announces recall of cryoablation catheters after multiple injuries, including 4 deaths

Cardiologists perform world’s first leadless LBBAP procedures with Abbott pacemaker