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.

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LAAO or DOAC? Mayo Clinic AI helps guide treatment of AFib patients

It can be challenging to know which AFib patients are the best candidates for LAAO. A new algorithm out of Mayo Clinic aims to address that problem. 

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Novartis to acquire drugmaker behind new heart therapy for up to $3.1B

The FDA has already shown great interest in the drug, which is designed to help AFib patients reduce their stroke and systemic embolism risks.

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Be good to your teeth: Regular flossing reduces risk of stroke, AFib

The difference in atrial fibrillation risk was unexpected, surprising researchers.

A majority of Americans use a device to monitor their heart health, according to a new survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. However, just 25% of those users take that extra step and share their data with a cardiologist or primary care provider.

Most Americans use devices to monitor their heart—just 1 in 4 share the data with doctors

Just a small fraction of the people tracking their own heart health are actually doing anything with the data, according to a new survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.

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Philips to sell its emergency care business to private equity firm

Bridgefield Capital, founded in 2015, has previously invested in such popular brands as Cirque Du Soleil, Del Monte and Quiksilver. This transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025. 

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Yes, physicians warn, cannabis is bad for the heart

Cannabis use is on the rise throughout the United States, but it is not as harmless as some people may believe. An in-depth analysis out of Stanford explored the many cardiovascular risks associated with regular cannabis use. 

Rakesh Gopinathannair, MD, FAHA, FACC, FHRS, director of cardiac electrophysiology laboratories at the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute, explains lessons from the AHA statement on COVID caused arrhythmias.

Key details associated with the treatment of COVID-induced arrhythmias

Rakesh Gopinathannair, MD, lead author of a recent American Heart Association scientific statement on cardiac arrhythmias associated with COVID-19, reviewed the latest science associated with this important topic.

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Aortic valve calcium scores help predict need for a permanent pacemaker after TAVR

RBBB remains the single strongest predictor for PPMI after TAVR, but high AV calcium scores still provide care teams with considerable value.

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