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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Medtronic’s Q2 earnings drop 26%

Medtronic has announced a drop in net earnings for its second quarter of fiscal year 2013, which ended Oct. 26, despite a slight increase in sales.

AFFIRM analysis questions digoxin’s safety

An analysis of AFFIRM data cast doubt on the widespread use of digoxin to manage patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The drug was associated with a significant increase in all-cause mortality, according to results published online Nov. 26 in the European Heart Journal.

St. Jude's Assura ICD, CRT-Ds net EU approval

St. Jude Medical has received European CE Mark approval for the Assura portfolio of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-Ds).

Merit nabs GE's catheter-based device maker for $167M

Merit Medical Systems, a manufacturer and marketer of disposable devices used in cardiology, radiology and endoscopy, has entered into a stock purchase agreement to acquire Thomas Medical Products from GE Healthcare for $167 million.

Anticoagulant apixaban gets nod for stroke prevention in EU

The European Commission has approved apixaban for prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation with one or more risk factors.

FDA lists “inadequacies” at St. Jude facility

The FDA found what it described as several inadequacies during an inspection of a St. Jude Medical facility in California. In a redacted report, the agency cited activities related to St. Jude’s Durata product.

Boehringer recalls one lot of Pradaxa

Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals has issued a voluntary recall of 75-mg dose dabigatran (Pradaxa), citing a potential packaging defect.

Hail to all who add to the evidence base

The races are over. The two that played out prominently for me this week were the presidential election and the American Heart Association’s (AHA) scientific sessions.

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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

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

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