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.

RSS icon

Evidence for long-term AF ablation efficacy lacking

Treating atrial fibrillation (AF) with radiofrequency (RF) ablation is gaining widespread acceptance despite gaps in comparative evidence to show its effectiveness. Earlier this year, the FDA approved the first two RF ablation catheters for treating AF, but acknowledged a lack of evidence in the technology's capbility to reduce the risk of stroke. It recommended, therefore, that patients should continue taking blood thinners.

Stereotaxis narrows losses in Q2

Image-guided interventional developer Stereotaxis has reportedly narrowed its net losses for the 2009 second quarter, which ended June 30.

Hansen cuts losses in Q2

Hansen Medical, a developer of medical robotics and robotic technology for 3D control of catheter movement, has reported a decrease in net losses for its fiscal 2009 second quarter, which ended June 30.

AIM: RF ablation for a-fib is effective as second-line therapy out to one year

Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation is effective for up to 12 months of rhythm control when used as a second-line therapy for atrial fibrillation in relatively young patients with near-intact cardiac function, according to an analysis published Aug. 4 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

HRJ: Multiple tests best diagnose right ventricular disease

Five diagnostic tests were determined to provide the most accurate diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia, which led investigators to suggest a need to revise the criteria used to evaluate the presence the disease, according to a study in the July edition of the HeartRhythm Journal.

Commentary: After AEDs saved his life, he crusades for their placement

How do you realize the value of a human life? There are many ways really, but for me the true clarity came from my death. Yes, thats right, I died; five times to be exact. My name is Chris Knight, and because of a miraculous second chance at life, I am taking this opportunity to share with you my story.

St. Jude reports 15% decline in Q2 earnings

St. Jude Medical has reported a 15 percent net decline in earnings for the second quarter, which ended July 4, compared with the year-ago quarter.

Merck, Portola to develop new oral anticoagulant in $470M deal

Merck and Portola Pharmaceuticals have signed a global collaboration and license agreement for the development and commercialization of betrixaban, an investigational oral Factor Xa inhibitor anticoagulant currently in Phase II clinical development for the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Displaying 1601 - 1608 of 1667

Around the web

Health Imaging
Use of AI opportunistic screening in CT for cardiovascular disease

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Health Imaging
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.

Design by Adaptive Theme
Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup