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.

EHR data detects patients at a higher risk of AFib, stroke or heart failure

When the patient had a history of stroke or heart failure, the researchers noted, their prediction model was less accurate.

COVID-19 led to a surge in overdose-related cardiac arrests

The authors emphasized the importance of investing in "substance use treatment, harm reduction, and structural drivers of overdose" as the pandemic continues.

Hydroxychloroquine unable to limit spread, or severity, of COVID-19 after exposure

There are no benefits to treating patients with hydroxychloroquine after they have already been exposed to COVID-19, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

AFib patients should limit alcohol consumption—it might just save their life

Drinking too much alcohol in a given week can put AFib patients at an increased risk of stroke, embolism and other significant health issues.

82% of AFib patients have undiagnosed sleep apnea, highlighting the importance of screening

Obstructive sleep apnea is known to be a "modifiable risk factor" for recurrent AFib, the authors explained.

Another pro athlete, football player Tommy Sweeney, diagnosed with COVID-related myocarditis

A cardiologist detected Sweeney’s condition during a mandatory checkup.

Aortic stenosis patients with AFib may experience more complications after valve replacement

The analysis, published in the American Journal of Cardiology, included data from more than 741,000 adult patients with aortic stenosis.

Ablation outperforms drug therapy as an initial treatment for atrial fibrillation

Drug therapy is typically recommended for the initial treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation, but new research suggests there could be a more effective way.

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