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.

2 out of 5 AFib patients develop heart failure later in life
Stroke is typically seen as the biggest danger for patients after they receive an AFib diagnosis. This study, however, suggests heart failure could be an even bigger threat.
FDA grants fast track designation to new drug for Friedreich's ataxia cardiomyopathy
The new gene therapy candidate is now one step closer to being approved by the FDA.
FDA grants anticoagulant its orphan drug designation for treating patients with implanted devices
The anticoagulant was originally developed for patients with end-stage renal disease and atrial fibrillation.
Biosense Webster takes key step toward FDA approval for Varipulse PFA system
The company already received CE mark approval for its new PFA offering and hopes it will soon be approved for sale in the United States.
Cardiologists are first in world to remove unstable Watchman devices with FDA-cleared retrieval system
A team of specialists in Houston made history, using the new-look device to treat three patients over the age of 80. The group shared its experience in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.

amsterdam the netherlands ESC Congress 2023

ESC Congress 2023: 4 key sessions scheduled for world’s largest gathering of cardiology professionals

The four-day event in Amsterdam officially begins on Friday, Aug. 25. Read our sneak preview of some of the conference's key sessions.

August 24, 2023

Beloved cardiologist Albert Waldo remembered for his lasting impact on electrophysiology

Waldo was a founding member of the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology, which is now known as the Heart Rhythm Society, and was revered for his helpfulness and kindness.

August 23, 2023

The depth of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) devices inside the LAA impacts outcomes. #LAAO

Mitigating risk: How the depth of device implantation impacts LAAO outcomes

Researchers examined data from more than 1,300 procedures, presenting their findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

August 18, 2023

CathVision ECGenius high fidelity EP recording system showing His bundle pacing demo at HRS 2023. Photo by Dave Fornell

FDA clears 2 new AI models that help with the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias

The two algorithms are now commercially available on a price-per-use basis.

August 16, 2023

artificial intelligence robot evaluates healthcare data. Novo Nordisk announced a new collaboration with Valo Health, a healthcare technology company focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to identify new drug treatments for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

AI model for HCM, the first of its kind, gains FDA approval

The new-look AI model was designed to automatically evaluate ECGs for signs of HCM and send alerts to the care team when necessary.

August 15, 2023

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a new draft guidance designed to help applicants add clinically relevant information about QTc interval prolongation to the labeling of non-antiarrhythmic drugs

FDA highlights importance of including heart rhythm risks on drug labels

The agency has shared a new draft guidance focused on the inclusion of information related to QTc interval prolongation.

August 10, 2023

Relaxed fasting instructions prior to TAVR, other heart procedures do not affect outcomes

Fasting before major operations has been common in healthcare for nearly 80 years, but that has started to change since the turn of the century.

August 9, 2023

Boston Scientific’s POLARx Cryoablation System to treat atrial fibrillation gained FDA approval in August 2023. It is compatible with two balloon sizes, 31 and 28 mm to fit different sized anatomies.

FDA approves Boston Scientific’s new cryoablation system for AFib

The system includes an expandable cryoablation balloon catheter compatible with multiple balloon sizes.

August 9, 2023

Heart Rhythm

2 out of 5 AFib patients develop heart failure later in life

FDA grants fast track designation to new drug for Friedreich's ataxia cardiomyopathy

FDA grants anticoagulant its orphan drug designation for treating patients with implanted devices

Biosense Webster takes key step toward FDA approval for Varipulse PFA system

Cardiologists are first in world to remove unstable Watchman devices with FDA-cleared retrieval system