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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Structured weight reduction may reduce AF symptoms

An intensive weight reduction and risk factor management program helped reduce atrial fibrillation (AF) symptoms more effectively than written and verbal weight reduction and exercise advice, according to a study published online Nov. 20 in JAMA.

Meta-analysis contradicts FDA’s findings on dabigatran

Results on gastrointestinal tract bleeding in the FDA’s Mini-Sentinel Program are at odds with findings from randomized clinical trials that compared dabigatran and warfarin, a meta-analysis published online Nov. 18 in JAMA Internal Medicine showed.

MINERVA Trial at AHA meeting shows Medtronic pacemakers reduce the progression of permanent AF by 61 percent

New research shows that Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) pacemakers with enhanced pacing features have the ability to slow the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with bradycardia, or a slow heartbeat.

Data indicate the antidote may be able to achieve immediate, complete and sustained reversal of dabigatran-induced anticoagulation in healthy humans

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced results showing that its investigational fully humanized antibody fragment (Fab) rapidly reversed the anticoagulation effect of dabigatran in healthy male volunteers. These results, presented today during the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013, represent the first clinical data involving the compound, which was discovered and developed by the company (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01955720).

AHA slides: Rivaroxaban users more likely to stay on therapy

Researchers reported Nov. 19 at the American Heart Association scientific session in Dallas that at three months 85 percent of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation treated with rivaroxaban had continued to take the anticoagulant compared with 76 percent of patients on warfarin.

AHA: Genetics may not be useful in dosing warfarin

Using genetic information to dose warfarin did not lead to better control of therapeutic levels, a study published online Nov. 19 in The New England Journal of Medicine found. The findings were simultaneously presented at the American Heart Association scientific session in Dallas.

Boston cardiologist given American Heart Association’s mentor award for guiding generations of future doctors, scientists

The American Heart Association has presented one of its highest honors, the Eugene Braunwald Academic Mentorship Award, to cardiologist and medical professor Mark Josephson, M.D., of Harvard Medical School.

Eleven local cardiologists to join John Muir Health’s medical foundation

Cor Cardiovascular Specialists, Inc., Arrhythmia Specialists, Inc., and Walter Savage, M.D., announced today that they will join John Muir Health’s medical foundation. They become the first cardiology groups and cardiologists to join the foundation. John Muir Health's Physician Network currently provides services to patients through more than 900 independent and foundation-based physicians.

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