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.

New analysis explores the connection between HIV and sudden cardiac death

Myocardial fibrosis was more common among people with a confirmed HIV diagnosis, the authors found.

The patient, a 78-year-old female, began showing signs of a negative reaction within 20 hours.

Medtronic gains expanded FDA approval for Arctic Front cryoablation catheters

The full Arctic Front line is now approved as a first-line treatment for heart rhythm issues.

Time for a change? AFib patients may want to stop drinking alcohol

Alcohol consumption is associated with a heightened risk of stroke among patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation.

How different cancer types impact a person's AFib risk

The study's authors examined data from more than 816,000 patients who were diagnosed with cancer from 2009 to 2016.

American College of Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Society launch new efforts to boost AFib care in underserved areas

The new collaboration is designed to help clinicians reach and treat AFib patients in communities that don't always receive the most attention.

AFib patients are missing out on the care they need

The study, published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, included data from more than 3,000 patients.

Long-term cardiac monitoring detects unsuspected AFib among stroke patients

After 12 months, AFib detection was much higher in stroke patients treated with an insertable cardiac monitor than those who received usual care.

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