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.

‘A new alternative’: Tiny pacemakers for infants show early promise
A team of pediatric specialists worked closely with representative from Medtronic to develop the new pacemakers. Overall, the tiny devices—approximately one-quarter the size of a traditional pacemaker—were found to be both safe and effective. They are still under development.
FDA announces catheter recall for Johnson & Johnson PFA system due to stroke risk
The recall comes after approximately 3% of patients treated with the device during the early stages of its U.S. rollout experienced a stroke or transient ischemic attack following surgery. The expected stroke rate is closer to 1%, the FDA explained.
Wearable heart device company to go public, raise up to $155M
Kestra Medical Technologies, known for its wearable heart monitors and defibrillators, intends to sell 10 million common shares priced somewhere between $14 and $16 per share.
FDA announces Class I recall of Boston Scientific pacemakers—replacement may be necessary
These safety issues have been linked to more than 800 injuries and two deaths. It is possible, the FDA warned, that some patients may require a device to be removed and replaced.
Johnson & Johnson resumes PFA rollout after stopping to review safety concerns
Johnson & Johnson MedTech has resumed the U.S. rollout of its Varipulse PFA system, sharing new warnings to help physicians.

Mechanical hyperventilation could streamline cardiac ablation

A medical technique that involves safely hyperventilating conscious, unmedicated patients could facilitate the use of radiotherapy for cardiac ablation, according to research published in Frontiers in Physiology.

HRS, CTA pen consumer guidelines for CV wearables

The Heart Rhythm Society and Consumer Technology Association will debut new consumer guidelines this week focused on wearables that detect and monitor cardiovascular metrics.

Warfarin more harmful to bone health than DOACs

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine last month found that direct oral anticoagulants were more effective in minimizing AFib patients’ risk of experiencing fracture than warfarin, supporting the theory that the blood thinner might be harmful to bone health.

Researchers reprogram fat-derived stem cells to act as biologic pacemakers

Researchers at the University of Houston are pioneering a unique method for developing biological pacemakers: converting stem cells found in fat to biologic pacemaker cells.

Researchers rig CIEDs to help track, predict AFib

New research out of Spain suggests we’re one step closer to personalized medicine for patients with atrial fibrillation.

Obesity mutes efficacy of sodium channel blockers for those with AFib

Atrial fibrillation patients who are obese are less likely to respond to sodium channel blockers than their normal-weight peers, according to a new study.

Prescribing OACs in the ED increases long-term use by 30%

Patients with atrial fibrillation may be more likely to stick to a regimen of oral anticoagulation if they’re first prescribed OACs in the emergency department, according to a study published Dec. 9 in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Brushing teeth frequently may lower risk of AFib, heart failure

Brushing teeth three or more times a day could dramatically lower a person’s risk for CVDs like heart failure and atrial fibrillation, according to preliminary research out of Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea.

Heart Rhythm

‘A new alternative’: Tiny pacemakers for infants show early promise

FDA announces catheter recall for Johnson & Johnson PFA system due to stroke risk

Wearable heart device company to go public, raise up to $155M

FDA announces Class I recall of Boston Scientific pacemakers—replacement may be necessary

Johnson & Johnson resumes PFA rollout after stopping to review safety concerns