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.

Heart Rhythm Advocates town hall to review key EP policies
Leaders from HRS and Heart Rhythm Advocates will take the stage to explore policy updates, advocacy goals for the future and much more.
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.

Tracking false-positive alerts among cardiac patients

“The findings of this study highlight the need for strategies to reduce and manage the burden of false-positive ILR alerts,” the researchers said.

DOACs outperform VKAs for stroke prevention in AFib patients

This was the first analysis of the risk of ICH in patients with AFib taking different oral anticoagulants.

Stimulants increase the short-term risk of heart attack, stroke, arrhythmia in older patients

Researchers emphasized that safety considerations should be included when stimulants are prescribed to older adults.

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.

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.

FDA clears advanced smartwatch capable of detecting AFib

The solution is expected to hit US markets by November.

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.

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.

Heart Rhythm

Heart Rhythm Advocates town hall to review key EP policies

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