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.

HRJ: Demographics, practice type affect ICD implantation decisions

The use of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) for sudden death prophylaxis across cardiology practices varies due to patient demographics, health conditions, geographic locations and practice types, based on a substudy on the IMPROVE HF registry data published in the December issue of the HeartRhythm Journal.

Luna Innovations settles with Hansen for about $5M

Hansen Medical has entered into a confidential settlement agreement with Luna Innovations and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Luna Technologies to resolve all pending claims between the parties stemming from Hansens suit against Luna in California Superior Court, as well as litigation between the parties stemming from Lunas bankruptcy filing in the Western District of Virginia.

AJR: Manual volumetric calculation best to track polyp size at CT colonography

Linear polyp measurement in the 3D endoluminal view appears to be the most reliable parameter for use in the decision to excise a polyp by the linear metric approach and manual volume is the most reliable measurement parameter for observing polyp growth over time, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

nContact instigates a-fib trial to test combo ablation technique

nContact Surgical, a cardiac solution company, will embark on a clinical trial to probe whether a convergent ablation procedure -- combining endoscopic with catherter ablation -- can effectively treat patients with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Medtronic receives FDA warning letter over cardiac rhythm facility

The FDA has sent Medtronic a warning letter, regarding the inspection of the companys cardiac rhythm disease management facility in Mounds View, Minn., which was completed in August.

Radiology must make move to structured reporting

Although there has been a rapid pace for the evolution of medical imaging technologies, radiology reporting has failed to follow suit, according to an article published online Oct. 9 in the Journal of Digital Imaging.

Study: New algorithm can accurately detect non-routine radiology results

A query-based algorithm that was created as part of an automated method to identify radiology reports containing non-routine communication of critical or significant results proved to be 97 percent effective, according to research published online Oct. 14 in the Journal of Digital Imaging.

Duke launches a-fib treatment study

To better study treatments and patient outcomes linked to atrial fibrillation, the Duke Clinical Research Institute has initiated the Outcomes Registry for Better informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation.

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.