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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A potential risk: New studies highlight the connection between treating COVID-19 with hydroxychloroquine and QTc prolongation

Treating COVID-19 patients with hydroxychloroquine, alone or in combination with azithromycin, is associated with an increased risk of QTc prolongation, according to two new studies published in JAMA Cardiology.

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Novartis launches FDA-approved study involving hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, COVID-19 patients

Novartis is launching a new clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients with hydroxychloroquine.

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Treating COVID-19 with hydroxychloroquine, with or without azithromycin, leads to more deaths

In addition to these latest findings, a NIH-backed panel is now specifically recommending against the combination of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin for treating COVID-19 patients.

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Heart and lung solution makes at-home exams a reality

Coala Life, a healthcare technology company based out of Sweden, has announced that physicians will now be able to use the company’s Coala Heart Monitor to conduct virtual heart and lung examinations.

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Researchers fear high doses of chloroquine ‘might be toxic’ for coronavirus patients

Researchers examining chloroquine (CQ), an antimalarial medication often suggested as a potential treatment for COVID-19, ended their study early over fears that patients were at an increased risk of significant heart complications.

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Warfarin use boosts risk of hemorrhagic stroke among end-stage kidney patients with AFib

Warfarin use does not reduce the risk of stroke for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with AFib, according to a new meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open. It does, however, lead to an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke.

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Hospital testing hydroxychloroquine on coronavirus patients notes serious side effects

A French hospital testing the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine on COVID-19 patients had to immediately stop testing on one patient due to the risk of significant cardiac side effects.

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Can smartphones diagnose AFib?

Smartphone cameras could play an important role in the diagnosis of AFib, according to new findings published in JAMA Network Open.

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.