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.

Abbott's TactiFlex flexible tip, force sensing ablation catheter (right), and its integration with the EnSite X EP mapping system (left) showing the distance from the last ablation. and the contact force during an AFib pulmonary vein isolation.

FDA clears first ablation catheter with flexible electrode tip, contact force sensing

Contact force-sensing catheters were developed to help overcome the issue of incomplete ablation lesions.

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‘Notably high’ rates of PTSD, depression and anxiety seen in patients with implantable heart devices

"Psychologists have had little involvement in the care of cardiac patients but this needs to change," one researcher said in a statement. 

The Medtronic pulsed field ablation (PFA) system.

Pulsed field ablation shows more positive data as treatment for AFib

Pulsed field ablation is one of the biggest technology trends in cardiac electrophysiology and may become a new standard of care in atrial fibrillation the coming years based on clinical data.

Ear-clip device offers non-pharmacological treatment for postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). #HRS2023 #HRS

Ear clip offers non-pharmacological treatment for postural tachycardia syndrome

An ear clip device has been shown to effectively stimulate nerves to treat postural tachycardia syndrome.

Zio AT mobile cardiac telemetry device

FDA warning letter: iRhythm committed multiple violations, failed to report patient deaths in time

“It is your firm’s responsibility to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations administered by FDA,” according to the warning letter. These issues, the agency added, “may be symptomatic of serious problems in your firm’s manufacturing and quality management systems.”

The CLAAS device from Conformal Medical

Conformal Medical raises $35M to continue development, research of next-gen LAAO device

The new investments were announced as the company continues developing its CLAAS device for sealing the LAA during LAAO procedures.

Juan Diaz, MD, explains why left bundle branch (LBB) conduction pacing is better than conventional sinus node pacing in cardiac synchronization therapy (CRT) for heart failure patients. #HRS #HRS2023 #LBBAP

Left bundle branch pacing: A successful alternative to standard lead placement

Juan C. Diaz, MD, explained why conduction pacing may be the way of the future.

Jagmeet Singh, MD, explains details of the SOLVE-CRT pivotal clinical trial at HRS 2023. #HRS #HRS2023

VIDEO: Jagmeet Singh details the SOLVE-CRT study for a leadless CRT system

Findings from the SOLVE-CRT study were presented to attendees at Heart Rhythm 2023. "Our results showed the study was safe, effective and feasible," Singh said. 

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.