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.

Fish oil supplements linked to potentially fatal heart rhythm issues

Certain patients face a "significantly greater risk of AFib" if they take fish oil supplements, the study's authors reported.

May 7, 2021

Abbott launches new clinical trial focused on treating AFib, heart failure at the same time

The TAP-CHF trial is expected to enroll up to 100 AFib patients with a history of HFpEF.

May 6, 2021

A closer look at how subtle changes in the heart can lead to arrhythmias, death

“What surprised me is that such small changes in electrolyte values have such dramatic effects,” one researcher said.

May 4, 2021

Catheter ablation tops medication alone for treating AFib—but the risk of complications remains

Catheter ablation is associated with better outcomes for AFib patients, researchers noted, but beginning treatment with just antiarrhythmic medications may be the most practical option.

April 29, 2021

Foot doctors ID undiagnosed atrial fibrillation in patients with diabetes

Overall, the researchers found, 17% of study participants had undiagnosed AFib.

April 27, 2021

Marijuana users with heart rhythm issues risk a ‘devastating outcome’

Marijuana users with a cardiac arrhythmia may face a heightened risk of in-hospital mortality, new research suggests.

April 23, 2021

USPSTF shares recommendation on screening asymptomatic adults for atrial fibrillation

The organization is accepting public comments on this topic until May 17.

April 20, 2021

Heart rhythm specialists receive $3.67M to develop new atrial fibrillation treatment

The grant, from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, is for more than $462,000 at first. An additional $3.21 million can be earned if certain requirements are met.

April 19, 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