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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BAFS: Asymptomatic AF understudied, placing patients at higher risk

Asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF), compared with symptomatic patients, are more often older and at greater risk for thromboembolism and stroke, according to research presented by John Camm, MD, of the St. Georges University of London at the 15th annual Boston AF Symposium on Jan. 14.

HRJ: Wireless identification devices interfere with implantable devices

The FDA, in collaboration with major implantable pacemaker and ICD manufacturers, demonstrated the effects of emissions from radiofrequency identification (RFID) readers on common implantable cardiac devices. Based on research in the January issue of the HeartRhythm Journal, the observed effects may cause increasing complications as RFID use expands in the medical device field.

AJR: Dual-source CTA bests 3D DSA in diagnosing intracranial aneurysms

The use of contrast-enhanced, dual-source CT angiography had diagnostic image quality at a lower radiation dose than digital subtraction CTA and high diagnostic accuracy compared with 3D digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in detecting intracranial aneurysms, according to a study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Study: 3D ultrasound can be used to map, study breast ductal systems

The use of 3D ultrasound is feasible for mapping and studying breast ductal systems, according to a study published this month in the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine.

Cambridge Heart raises $1.8M

Cardiac device developer Cambridge Heart has reportedly raised approximately $1.8 million in total capital from private placement, after a financial review of its Series D convertible preferred stock

Robotic Catheter Control: Offers Electrophysiologists Many Advantages

Hansen Medical

The field of electrophysiology is increasingly moving toward performing more and more complex cardiac arrhythmia procedures. These procedures, which can last up to four hours, demand steady hands, a sturdy back and great concentration.

EP Device Implantation Could Surge as New Data Emerge

Recent clinical data have begun to clearly define when to implant cardiac rhythm devices and which patients will benefit the most from them.

Lancet: Ablation prior to defibrillator shock reduces risk of recurrent VT

Patients with episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) are at high risk of repeat VT, ventricular fibrillation and death; and the use of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) reduces mortality compared with drug treatment for VT. The VTACH study, published Dec. 31 in the Lancet, shows that use of catheter ablation prior to ICD implantation reduces the risk of VT recurrence at two years.

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