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.

Update: FDA confirms recalls for defibrillation leads after nearly 400 injuries
Safety concerns with certain Boston Scientific leads have resulted in multiple Class I recalls, the FDA has announced. The agency first shared a warning about this issue in August.
Boston Scientific to purchase Elutia’s drug-eluting envelope business for $88M
The FDA-cleared EluPro bioenvelope delivers two antibiotics to patients over an extended period of time after they receive an implantable pacemaker or defibrillator to cut infection rates.
Exploring the link between left ventricular diastolic function and AFib
Evaluating LVDF with echocardiography or AI-powered electrocardiography can help identify individuals at an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation, according to new data presented at the ASE 36th Annual Scientific Sessions.
Q&A: Cardiologist explores CMS proposal to cover cardiac ablations performed in ambulatory surgical centers
CMS has proposed a policy shift that would allow cardiac ablation procedures to be performed in ambulatory surgical centers. Arash Aryana, MD, PhD, a veteran cardiac electrophysiologist, explained why he is "extremely encouraged" by this proposal, highlighting several potential benefits.
FDA clears Kardium Globe pulsed field ablation system
It is the only integrated system that combines high-density mapping and PFA in a single device. The system uses a 122-electrode spherical array to enable rapid, single-shot pulmonary vein isolation, helping to streamline workflows.

Next-gen Apple Watch will come with built-in EKG

The Apple Watch Series 4—the device’s first major update since its introduction to the market three years ago—will feature an electrocardiogram in addition to its existing heart rate monitor, the Verge reported this week.

82% of firefighters who die of cardiac arrest have CHD, enlarged hearts

The majority of firefighters who die from cardiac arrest while on duty have underlying coronary heart disease (CHD) and an enlarged heart, including left ventricular hypertrophy, according to a study of autopsy data published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Left atrial fibrosis could be to blame for increased risk of arrhythmias in endurance athletes

A prevalence of left atrial fibrosis in endurance athletes could explain their increased risk for arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation (AFib), according to data presented this week at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Congress in Munich.

Study warns against combined use of oral anticoagulants, antiplatelet therapy for AFib

Combining oral anticoagulants with antiplatelet therapy in atrial fibrillation (AFib) patients could be more than just overkill, University of Edinburgh researchers reported at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual meeting this month. It could be dangerous, increasing the risk for all-cause death, stroke and major bleeding events in those without an indication for dual treatment.

Study Shows Improved Quality of Life and Reduced Symptoms In Patients Treated with Medtronic Cryoballoon

DUBLIN and MUNICH — August 28, 2018 — Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT) today announced new findings from the CRYO4PERSISTENT AF clinical trial demonstrating improved quality of life, reduced symptoms from abnormal heart rhythms, and low incidence of reinterventions and repeat ablation procedures.

40% of AFib patients have ‘silent’ brain damage that could explain predisposition to dementia

More than 40 percent of patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) but no record of stroke or transient ischemic attack have previously unknown, “silent” brain damage, according to research presented this week at the European Society of Cardiology Congress (ESC) in Munich. The findings might explain why those with AFib also face an increased risk of cognitive dysfunction and dementia.

Traumatic life events may be associated with increased risk of AFib

A new study published in the American Journal of Cardiology suggests women aged 45 and older who experienced traumatic life events could have a 37 percent increased chance of atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Smartphone app accurately detects AFib—but 28% of recordings don't suit algorithm

A handheld cardiac rhythm recorder that links to a smartphone application detected atrial fibrillation (AFib) with 96.6 percent sensitivity and 94.1 percent specificity compared to physician-interpreted electrocardiograms (ECGs), according to a single-center study published in HeartRhythm.

Heart Rhythm

Update: FDA confirms recalls for defibrillation leads after nearly 400 injuries

Boston Scientific to purchase Elutia’s drug-eluting envelope business for $88M

Exploring the link between left ventricular diastolic function and AFib

Q&A: Cardiologist explores CMS proposal to cover cardiac ablations performed in ambulatory surgical centers

FDA clears Kardium Globe pulsed field ablation system