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.

American College of Cardiology announces launch of JACC: Electrophysiology

The Journal of the American College of Cardiology collection continues to grow with the launch of JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, which will feature original research and review articles regarding cardiac rhythm disorders. David J. Wilber, MD, FACC, will serve as Editor-in-Chief of the new journal, which will begin publishing in March 2015 on a bimonthly basis.

November 14, 2014

Medtronic announces Japanese approval and launch of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator system to allow for full-body MRI scans

Medtronic today announced Japanese regulatory approval and launch of the Evera MRI(TM) SureScan® implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) System for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans positioned on any region of the body. Reimbursement also was approved by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW). The Medtronic Evera MRI ICD is currently limited to investigational use in the United States.

November 10, 2014

GreatCall adds AliveCor heart monitor to mobile health portfolio

October 30, 2014 - GreatCall, Inc., the leader in creating mobile health and safety solutions for active aging, is bringing the ability to affordably track heart health anywhere, anytime to its Touch3 smartphone as a pilot program. The AliveCor® Heart Monitor is now available as a Touch3 accessory, enabling those with suspected or diagnosed heart conditions as well as those at risk of heart conditions to fully participate in their own cardiac health.

October 31, 2014

Boston Scientific announces pacemaker CE mark with options for magnetic resonance imaging

Boston Scientific Corporation has received CE Mark approval for the ACCOLADETM pacemaker family. When implanted with the company's INGEVITYTM leads, ACCOLADE pacemakers are the first to enable patients to receive full-body MRI scans in both 1.5 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla systems. In addition, the Boston Scientific ImageReadyTM technology offers the most flexible MRI options, allowing higher energy scan sequences, and featuring a programmable MRI timer designed to improve patient workflow.

October 17, 2014

Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Heart, Vascular and Stroke Care to serve as coordinating site for new Transatlantic Network of Excellence

Today, the electrophysiology service of the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Heart, Vascular and Stroke Care announces participation in a new Transatlantic Network of Excellence as part of a $6 million award from the Leducq Foundation.

October 15, 2014

A new investigational cardiac pacemaker as small as a vitamin

Cardiologists on the medical staff at Baylor Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital (BHVH) today implanted an investigational cardiac pacemaker the size of a multivitamin. The first implantable pacemakers, developed in the late-1950s, were nearer the size of a transistor radio.

October 10, 2014

Imricor Medical Systems announces first procedures in clinical study of MR-enabled cardiac ablation products

Imricor Medical Systems, Inc. announced the first three cardiac ablation procedures were completed in the first clinical study that is evaluating the feasibility of their MR-enabled products to treat atrial flutter. Professor Reza Razavi, Head of the Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, is the principal investigator for the study and along with Mark O'Neill, Professor of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Consultant Cardiologist, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Trust performed the procedures. The prospective pilot study will enroll up to 15 patients at this center.

October 9, 2014

Medtronic announces CE mark and European launch of TYRX(TM) Absorbable Antibacterial Envelope

Medtronic, Inc. has received CE (Conformité Européenne) Mark for the TYRX(TM) Absorbable Antibacterial Envelope. This innovative mesh envelope covers an implantable cardiac device to help stabilize the device after implantation and reduce surgical-site infections.

September 22, 2014

Around the web

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

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."

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