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.

Heart Rhythm Society legislative advocacy group raising funds for electrophysiology
This week, Heart Rhythm Advocates announced its establishment and called on cardiologists and EPs to support its efforts with membership and joining committees to guide efforts.
FDA chooses not to approve new nasal spray for heart rhythm issues
Etripamil's journey toward FDA approval hit a roadblock. The agency requested additional information on the drug, including a new facility inspection, in a response letter sent to Milestone Pharmaceuticals.
Abbott gains CE mark approval for Volt PFA system
The approval, which Abbott said arrived earlier than expected, came after regulators reviewed data from a 2024 clinical trial.
Enabling X-ray-free ablation procedures in the EP lab
Exposure to scatter radiation and orthopedic issues related to years of wearing lead aprons during long EP procedures has led electrophysiologists to seek out new ways to reduce the need for angiographic X-ray.
The evolution of RF technology to reduce complications and improve outcomes
Advancements in radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation technology have been incremental over the past 30 years in efforts to improve safety, procedural efficiency and patient outcomes. While some newer technologies have gained a lot of attention in electrophysiology (EP) over the past several years, RF remains the solid frontline treatment.

Burden of in-hospital cardiac arrest 38% higher than previously thought

Research published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes July 9 suggests the public health burden of pulseless in-hospital cardiac arrests is around 38% higher in adults and 18% higher in children than was previously believed.

FDA clears Biotronik’s next-gen injectable cardiac monitor

Biotronik on July 8 announced its BIOMONITOR III injectable cardiac monitor, a diagnostic tool designed to document suspected arrhythmias, has been cleared by the FDA.

AHA awards $14M in grants to study arrhythmias, cardiac arrest

Four universities were awarded research grants by the American Heart Association on June 24, each set to receive more than $3.7 million for a range of studies focused on arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest.

Experimental tool leverages smart speaker tech to detect cardiac arrest

Researchers at the University of Washington are hoping to catch out-of-hospital cardiac arrests early with an algorithm that, when integrated with smart speakers like the Google Home or Amazon Alexa, can monitor people for audible cardiac arrest symptoms while they sleep.

Study predicts 14M older Europeans will have AFib by 2060

More than 14 million European adults aged 65 and up will have developed atrial fibrillation by 2060, according to a paper published June 6 in EP Europace.

Biotronik targets women in study of ICD outcomes

Biotronik is targeting a minimum of 40% female enrollment for its newest project, a large-scale prospective study of sex differences in patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) and an implanted cardiovascular device.

Beta-blockers mitigate emotionally triggered AFib

Heart patients prone to emotionally triggered atrial fibrillation are less likely to experience an arrhythmia if they’re taking beta-blockers, according to a June 3 study published in Heart Rhythm.

Heart patient gifts Loyola cardiology $1.5M

Former heart patient Donald Scott gifted Loyola Medicine $1.5 million last week as a thank-you for the care he received there when he suffered an arrhythmia, Loyola announced May 31.

Heart Rhythm

Heart Rhythm Society legislative advocacy group raising funds for electrophysiology

FDA chooses not to approve new nasal spray for heart rhythm issues

Abbott gains CE mark approval for Volt PFA system

Enabling X-ray-free ablation procedures in the EP lab

The evolution of RF technology to reduce complications and improve outcomes