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.

Biosense Webster, part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, shared updated data on its Varipulse pulsed field ablation (PFA) system at AF Symposium 2024 in Boston.

Biosense Webster shares latest data on its pulsed field ablation system

The company, part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, shared positive data from two different clinical trials at AF Symposium 2024 in Boston.

February 5, 2024
Example of a left atrial posterior wall (LAPW) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) to better treat persistent atrial fibrillation (AFib) using the Abbott electromapping system.

Targeting the left atrial posterior wall during pulsed field ablation fails to improve outcomes

Researchers explored the potential of an alternate way to perform PFA on patients with persistent AFib, presenting their findings live at AF Symposium 2024 in Boston.

February 2, 2024
Medtronic's PulseSelect Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) System

Real-world patients now being treated with Medtronic’s PFA system

Medtronic is celebrating the success of its PulseSelect pulsed field ablation product by highlighting its impact on heart patients around the world. 

February 1, 2024
Farapulse Boston Scientific Pulsed Field Ablation PFA fda approval

FDA approves Boston Scientific’s pulsed field ablation system for AFib

The FDA’s final decision was based largely on positive results from the ADVENT clinical trial, which compared treatment with the Farapulse PFA System to the current standard of care.

January 31, 2024
Example of the Esolution device developed by S4 Medical being used during a radiofrequency ablation procedure. Image courtesy of Daoud et al.

New medical device helps cardiologists limit esophageal injuries during RF ablation procedures

Injuries to the esophagus remain a common complication associated with radiofrequency ablation procedures. New research suggests a device developed by S4 Medical could significantly reduce the risk of such injuries. 

January 30, 2024
Element Science Jewel Patch Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator (P-WCD)

New patch-based wearable defibrillator receives CE mark approval

The device, which also received Great Britain’s UKCA marking, was specifically designed to be less bulky and easier to wear than other wearable cardioverter-defibrillators.

January 26, 2024
Medicare data stethoscope healthcare trends graphs finance financials

An updated look at combining LAAO with ablation, TAVR or other interventional heart procedures

Performing two procedures at once does not appear to make a significant impact on patient safety, though it may lead to a few new risks sure to interest heart teams. 

January 23, 2024
Pre-clinical images of the Abbott Volt pulsed field ablation system creating lesions using electroporation, presented at the 2023 AHA Scientific Sessions, The Abbott PFA system is now being used in a first-in-human study at the Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders at the University of Adelaide, Australia.

First patients treated with Abbott’s pulsed field ablation offering

According to Abbott, its Volt system was specifically designed to address weaknesses seen in other first-generation PFA offerings.

January 19, 2024

Around the web

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