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.

RSS icon
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a new warning against the use of watches, rings and other devices that claim to measure blood glucose levels without piercing the skin. These unapproved devices come from “dozens of companies” and are sold “under multiple brand names.”

AFib screening using wearable devices found to be cost-effective for patients as young as 50

While current guidelines endorse screening for people aged 65 and above, a massive simulation published in JAMA Health Forum suggests that cost-effectiveness may extend to even younger age groups.

August 12, 2022
Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) is associated with “promising” short-term outcomes among patients with a history of cancer, according to new research published in the American Journal of Cardiology. #TEER #TMVR

Risk of death increases when TEER patients present with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

A team of Cleveland Clinic researchers tracked data from nearly 23,000 patients, sharing their findings in the American Journal of Cardiology. 

August 8, 2022
Illustration of a left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedure using a Watchman device. Image courtesy of Johns Hopkins Medicine. #LAA #LAAO

Pre-procedure CT imaging benefits LAA occlusion in Henry Ford study

There is not agreement among the top structural heart experts if CT is required for left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), but a Henry Ford Hospital study shows it can improve outcomes.

August 5, 2022
Ancora Heart AccuCinch Ventricular Restoration System heart failure FDA

Regulatory Roundup: FDA clears AI-powered Apple Watch competitor, grants breakthrough designation to new heart failure device

Ancora Heart received the FDA’s breakthrough device designation for its AccuCinch Ventricular Restoration System, a new minimally invasive transcatheter device designed for the treatment of heart failure.

July 25, 2022
A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago.

TAVR outcomes take a hit when patients present with heart failure or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

In-hospital mortality was especially high among TAVR patients presenting with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, according to a new analysis.

July 18, 2022
The KardiaBand device from AliveCor is a more reliable tool for identifying atrial fibrillation (AFib) than the Apple Watch 4, according to a new head-to-head analysis published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.

KardiaBand outperforms Apple Watch in diagnosing AFib, but a cardiologist’s perspective is still crucial

The study's authors noted that the ECG acquisition technology in these wearable devices appears to be quite effective. The automated algorithms, however, could still be improved. 

July 8, 2022
A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare. Sex differences in TAVR one-year mortality.

AFib patients more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure or bleeding following TAVR

The study, published in the American Journal of Cardiology, included data from more than 900 TAVR patients. Overall morality was 22.7% among patients with AFib and 14.4% among patients without AFib.

July 5, 2022
Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center EP lab staff that performed the first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker implant at the hospital. From left is Mark Mascarenhas, MD, Toni Donovan RN, BSN, CVN; Tim StJean, R.N. trainee; Liz Bianchini RN; and Melissa D'Altilio, RN, with the Abbott Aveir DR pacemaker technology. #EPeeps #EPlab #Aveir

Leadless pacemaker technology moves toward dual-chamber pacing

Leadless pacemaker technology is expanding its ability to treat more patients with dual-chamber pacing.

July 5, 2022
Displaying 201 - 208 of 678
Design by Adaptive Theme