Electrophysiology

The cardiac subspecialty of electrophysiology (EP) diagnoses and treats arrhythmias. This includes use of pacemakers to treat bradycardia, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) for tachycardia, heart failure and patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and cardiac ablation treatments to treat heart rhythm disorders.

Apple Watch AFib feature becomes first-ever digital tool approved by FDA to evaluate medical devices
Healthcare technology companies can now use AFib findings recorded by an Apple Watch to help demonstrate the effectiveness of their devices to the FDA.
Confirmed: AFib ablation more beneficial for patients with HFrEF than those with HFpEF
Researchers explored data from nearly 2,500 AFib ablation patients, sharing their findings in JAMA Cardiology.
American Heart Association thinks pharmacists can play a bigger role in AFib care
Pharmacists interact with patients on a regular basis and are seen as a trusted source of health information. Can they help cardiologists improve care for AFib patients?
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.

Abbott’s new long-term ICM gains FDA approval

The newly approved device is powered by Bluetooth technology and available with a three- or six-year battery.

May 18, 2023

FDA grants fast track designation to Bayer’s new drug for preventing stroke in AFib patients

The new drug, asundexian, is currently the subject of two multicenter Phase III studies—the OCEANIC-AF trial and OCEANIC-STROKE trial—focused on its safety and efficacy.

May 16, 2023

Heart failure hospitalizations among young adults are getting more common and more expensive

AFib ablation in young adults linked to improved quality of life, new Cleveland Clinic study confirms

“These and other data support that young adults do as well as a more traditional patient population when looking at arrhythmia-free survival,” researchers wrote.

May 15, 2023

Presenter delivers one of the late-breaking electrophysiology (EP) clinical trials at the annual Heart Rhythm meeting sponsored by the Heart Rhythm Society.

Links to all the late-breaking trials for Heart Rhythm 2023

Heart Rhythm 2023, the society's 44th annual meeting, is scheduled for May 19-21.

May 11, 2023

Samsung galaxy smartwatch showing atrial fibrillation (AFib) alerts

FDA clears AFib alerts for Samsung smartwatches

Samsung's smartwatches, already equipped with ECG technology, will now be able to alert users when signs of an irregular heart rhythm are detected.

May 8, 2023

The Medtronic Micra leadless pacemaker implanted inside the heart. It is about the size of a large vitamin pill and is implanted using a catheter.

Medtronic’s next-generation leadless pacemakers gain FDA approval

The two new leadless pacemakers, the Micra AV2 and Micra VR2, feature much longer batteries than previous models.

May 2, 2023

Electrocardiograms analyzed by AI can offer information about mortality risk.

COVID-19 linked to elevated risk of life-threatening arrhythmia

Patients with severe COVID-19 cases that required ventilation were 16 times more likely to develop ventricular tachycardia within six months, researchers found.

April 21, 2023

Leadless pacemakers appear to be safe, effective in children with bradycardia

“Leadless pacemaker technology is the wave of the future,” one researcher said. “This is an excellent technology that may be offered to a wider pediatric population."

April 11, 2023

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Electrophysiology

Apple Watch AFib feature becomes first-ever digital tool approved by FDA to evaluate medical devices

Confirmed: AFib ablation more beneficial for patients with HFrEF than those with HFpEF

American Heart Association thinks pharmacists can play a bigger role in AFib care

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

Around the web