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.

Nighttime cardiac arrest, a ‘perplexing and devastating phenomenon,’ more common among women

Physicians may want to think twice before prescribing certain medications, including drugs for pain or depression, to some female patients, the authors observed.

Alcohol consumption, even just a daily glass of wine, leads to a heightened risk of AFib

Researchers tracked data from more than 107,000 patients, completing what is believed to be the largest study of its kind.

Non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants vs. warfarin for AFib patients: What the latest research tells us

Tracking data from more than 10,000 patients, researchers shared their findings in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.

American College of Cardiology shares new guidelines for treating patients with anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy

The ACC is celebrating the holiday season with a new gift for cardiologists.

Philips acquires US-based heart monitoring specialists for $2.8B

BioTelemetry made $439 million in sales in 2019, with a significant portion of that coming from solutions related to heart rhythm disorders.

COVID-19 coronavirus burnout depression pandemic

10 helpful tips for heart rhythm patients as the COVID-19 pandemic continues

The new analysis, published in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology, was designed to help patients stay informed and avoid unnecessary stress during this challenging time.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors increase risk of myocarditis, arrhythmias, heart failure and CV death

The study’s authors tracked data from more than 13,000 patients with malignant melanoma and more than 25,000 patients with lung cancer.

American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association update AFib performances measures

The Heart Rhythm Society also contributed to the guidance.

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