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.

University of Chicago Medicine Creating High-Tech Arrhythmia Technology Suite with Stereotaxis Niobe® ES System

July 13, 2016 — Stereotaxis, Inc., a global leader in innovative technologies for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, today announced that the University of Chicago Medicine will implement the Company’s Niobe ES remote magnetic navigation system as part of its vision to create a cutting-edge arrhythmia technology suite. 

Thumbnail

ACC, AHA release updated measure sets for atrial fibrillation

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) released updated clinical performance and quality measure sets on June 27 for adults with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.

Abbott presents positive findings of three trials evaluating its RhythmView technology for atrial fibrillation

Patients with atrial fibrillation had positive results after receiving treatment with focal impulse rotor modulation (FIRM)-guided rotor ablation, according to three studies presented at the recent Cardiostim-EHRA Europace conference in Nice, France.

Follow-up analysis shows the Micra TPS is associated with lower risk of major complications

After 7.7 months, patients who were implanted with the Micra Transcatheter Pacing System (TPS) had a statistically significant 52 percent lower risk for major complications compared with those who received a conventional pacing system.

Thumbnail

Patients vs. Populations: Afib Experts Get Energized Over Quality Metrics & Training

Five electrophysiologists joined Cardiovascular Business editorial advisor Matthew R. Reynolds, MD, SM, for a discussion about how they will deliver quality care to a growing number of atrial fibrillation patients even as the U.S. healthcare system turns its focus from volume to value.

FDA advisory panel votes in favor of the Amplatzer PFO occluder device

By an 11 to 5 margin, an FDA advisory panel voted that the benefits of St. Jude Medical’s Amplatzer PFO occluder device outweighs its risks, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. 

CMS seeks comments on leadless cardiac pacemakers

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on May 18 that it was initiating a national coverage analysis for leadless cardiac pacemakers.

Medicare patients experience high rates of complications and reoperations following ICD implantation

An observational cohort study found that Medicare patients had a high rate of device-related complications and reoperations for other causes following implantation with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs).

Around the web

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

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