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.

‘A significant step forward’: Advocates cheer as heart health bill passes Senate

The HEARTS Act is focused on improving cardiomyopathy education and awareness while getting more AEDs in schools. The ACC, AHA and other medical societies have supported the bipartisan bill, which now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law.

Acutus Medical, the California-based healthcare technology company focused on electrophysiology devices, has announced significant downsizing that will cut its workforce by approximately 70%. The goal of the move is to focus exclusively on manufacturing and distributing left-heart access devices as part of a distribution deal with Medtronic that was first signed in 2022.

Medical device company cuts 70% of staff in push to meet Medtronic obligations

California-based Acutus Medical has said its ongoing agreement to manufacture and distribute left-heart access devices for Medtronic is the company's only source of revenue. 

FDA approves new short-term treatment for AFib, atrial flutter in critical care settings

Landiolol, sold by AOP Health under the brand name Rapiblyk, is an intravenous treatment designed to start working right away.

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with the Watchman FLX device from Boston Scientific is associated with positive outcomes and limited adverse events after one year, according to new findings published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions.[1] Many prior Watchman FLX studies, including PINNACLE FLX, had focused on the device’s performance in a controlled setting. The study’s authors hoped to gain a better understanding of its real-world impact by reviewing registry data from more than 97,000 U.S

LAAC with Watchman FLX reduces bleeding risks after AFib ablation

The new data, presented during AHA Scientific Sessions 2024, suggest LAAC with Boston Scientific's Watchman FLX could be a safe, effective alternative to OAC for limiting post-ablation strokes.

eko health digital stethoscope artificial intelligence

Eko Health’s AI platform for digital stethoscopes granted new CPT code

The Sensora platform, which includes multiple FDA-approved algorithms, has a new Category III CPT code.

Predicting sudden cardiac death after a heart attack may be impossible—for now

Researchers tried to crack the code, but they fell short time and time again. AI may offer potential as one way to finally find an answer, they added. 

heart surgery surgeons

Concomitant ablation surgery during heart operations boosts long-term survival

Treating AFib with surgical ablation during mitral valve surgery and other common heart operations can help patients live longer, a new meta-analysis confirmed.

The late-breaking U.S. multicenter admIRE clinical trial at the Heart Rhythm Society 2024 meeting, showed positive data on the long-term safety and effectiveness of the the Biosense Webster Varipulse pulsed field ablation (PFA) system in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. #HRS #HRS2024 #PFA

Johnson & Johnson MedTech gains FDA approval for Varipulse PFA system

Johnson & Johnson is now the third company with an FDA-approved PFA system in its portfolio, joining Medtronic and Boston Scientific. Varipulse previously gained CE mark approval in February. 

Around the web

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.