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.

Advanced age, hypertension among predictors of AFib in ESUS patients

The analysis included more than 5,000 patients who received care from December 2014 to January 2018 in one of 42 countries.

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New research highlights the circadian rhythm seen in heart cells

New data published in Nature Communications may explain why heart problems are so common among shift workers. 

CIED research highlights the close relationship between AFib and ischemic stroke

AFib episodes that last 5.5 hours or longer increase a patient’s risk of ischemic stroke by a significant margin. 

AFib patients with COPD face worse outcomes

Researchers recommend a more comprehensive evaluation of respiratory function in AFib patients.

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Heart rhythm specialists awarded $3M to develop new AFib therapy

“AFib remains a serious arrhythmia, and additional treatment options are needed,” one cardiologist said. 

Medtronic, Mpirik join forces to address disparities in care for patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest

Vizient is also working closely with the two companies to boost patient care. 

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Healthy sleep patterns lower risk of AFib, bradyarrhythmia

Researchers tracked data from the UK Biobank study, sharing their analysis in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

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Risk score predicts new‐onset HF among AFib patients in the ED

The study's authors hope their work can help high-risk patients receive the care they need. 

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.