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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LIA software proven to detect lead failures more frequently than impedance alone on Riata, Durata and Endotak leads

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) today announced FDA approval of its Lead Integrity Alert (LIA) software for use with non-Medtronic leads. Proprietary and exclusive software that resides in Medtronic defibrillators, LIA is now approved to report performance issues on Durata® and Riata® defibrillator leads (St. Jude Medical) and Endotak® (Boston Scientific) defibrillator leads when connected to a Medtronic device.

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AF ablation complications linked to low hospital, operator volume

In an analysis of 93,801 catheter ablation procedures in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), researchers found a complication rate of 6.29 percent, with lower volume of procedures associated with a higher rate of complications. The findings were published in the Nov. 5 issue of Circulation.

AF an independent risk factor for first-time MI

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is independently associated with a higher rate of first-time MI, especially in blacks and women, according to a study published online Nov. 4 in JAMA Internal Medicine.  

Boston Scientific buys Bard EP for $275M

Boston Scientific completed its acquisition of Bard EP, the electrophysiology unit of C.R. Bard. 

Dabigatran tops list again for safety issues

Once again, dabigatran led the pack in an analysis of drug safety problems directly reported to the FDA, with warfarin taking second place. Quarter Watch Report claimed risks associated with anticoagulants make them “one of the most dangerous of all outpatient drug treatments.”

BIOTRONIK launches Idova 7 - the most powerful ICD approved for MR

BIOTRONIK, a leading manufacturer of cardiovascular medical technology, announced the launch of the new Idova 7 series today. Idova 7 ICDs (implantable cardioverter-defibrillators) and CRT-Ds (cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators) offer ultrahigh-energy therapy without compromising on short charge times (10 sec), smaller size (34 cc), and outstanding longevity of more than eleven years. Designed to stop life-threatening arrhythmias with the very first shock, Idova 7 gives patients valuable peace of mind.

St. Jude buys Nanostim for $123.5M

St. Jude Medical acquired Nanostim, a developer of miniaturized leadless pacemakers, for $123.5 million after a two-year partnership with the company.

ACC’s anticoagulation consortium roundtable tackles gaps in care

Since the topic of anticoagulation management is complex and surrounded by debate, representatives from medical specialty societies, industry and other stakeholder groups gathered at the American College of Cardiology’s (ACC) Heart House in September for the Anticoagulation Consortium Roundtable, to address the gaps in care.

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Use of AI opportunistic screening in CT for cardiovascular disease

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New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

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