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.

RSS icon

FDA approves Biotronik ICD systems for use with MRI scans

The FDA approved the ProMRI implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) systems for use with full-body MRI scans on Dec. 22.

December 22, 2015

FDA approves LifeVest wearable cardioverter defibrillator for children

The FDA approved the LifeVest wearable cardioverter defibrillator (Zoll Lifecor Corp.) on Dec. 17 to treat some children who are at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. The device was approved in 2001 for adults who were at least 18 years old.

December 18, 2015
The Boston Scientific Watchman device is a transcatheter device implanted in the left atrial appendage (LAA) to seal it off so atrial fibrillation patients can got off of anticoagulant therapy.

ACC, SCAI, HRS release consensus statement on left atrial appendage occlusion requirements

Three leading cardiology societies released a consensus statement on Dec. 10 regarding criteria institutions and operators should follow for left atrial appendage occlusion.

December 11, 2015
‘Notably high’ rates of PTSD, depression and anxiety seen in patients with implantable heart devices

Medical societies release consensus statement on ICD programming and testing

Major electrophysiology and cardiology societies released an expert consensus statement on Nov. 19 on optimal implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) programming and testing.

November 20, 2015

Physicians still use Lariat device despite FDA safety alert

Despite an FDA safety alert in July, physicians are still using the Lariat suture delivery device, STAT reports. SentreHeart CEO Russell Seiber, who founded the company in 2005, defended the Lariat device in an interview.

November 11, 2015

AHA.15: Micra leadless pacemaker is safe and effective at 6 months

Six months after implantation with an investigational leadless intracardiac transcatheter pacing system from Medtronic, 96 percent of patients did not have system-related or procedure-related major complications, according to a prespecified interim analysis of a prospective, multicenter study.

November 10, 2015
Tim Casey

DOJ investigation in ICD misuse continues

Although the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Oct. 30 that it had settled with 457 hospitals for allegedly improperly implanting implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), it said it will to continue to investigate hospitals and health systems that fail to comply with the ICD implantation rules.

November 4, 2015

ACC, AHA and HRS release guideline to treat supraventricular tachycardia

Three major cardiology societies released a new guideline on Sept. 23 to manage adults with all types of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) other than atrial fibrillation.

September 29, 2015
Displaying 873 - 880 of 984

Around the web

Health Imaging
New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Radiology Business
What does radiology have to do with climate change?

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

Design by Adaptive Theme
Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup