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.

PRECEPT study finds contact force-sensing catheters safe for treating persistent AFib

The findings were originally scheduled to be presented at the Heart Rhythm Society’s 2020 Heart Rhythm Scientific Sessions.

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Latest study suggests hydroxychloroquine makes minimal impact as COVID-19 treatment

The potential use of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 has been one of the biggest stories of the current pandemic.

No increased risk of infection with recycled pacemakers and defibrillators

Researchers studied data from 1,051 patients who received resterilized pacemakers and defibrillators, sharing their findings in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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A potential risk: New studies highlight the connection between treating COVID-19 with hydroxychloroquine and QTc prolongation

Treating COVID-19 patients with hydroxychloroquine, alone or in combination with azithromycin, is associated with an increased risk of QTc prolongation, according to two new studies published in JAMA Cardiology.

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Novartis launches FDA-approved study involving hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, COVID-19 patients

Novartis is launching a new clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients with hydroxychloroquine.

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Treating COVID-19 with hydroxychloroquine, with or without azithromycin, leads to more deaths

In addition to these latest findings, a NIH-backed panel is now specifically recommending against the combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin for treating COVID-19 patients.

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Heart and lung solution makes at-home exams a reality

Coala Life, a healthcare technology company based out of Sweden, has announced that physicians will now be able to use the company’s Coala Heart Monitor to conduct virtual heart and lung examinations.

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Researchers fear high doses of chloroquine ‘might be toxic’ for coronavirus patients

Researchers examining chloroquine (CQ), an antimalarial medication often suggested as a potential treatment for COVID-19, ended their study early over fears that patients were at an increased risk of significant heart complications.