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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Concomitant ablation surgery during heart operations boosts long-term survival

Treating AFib with surgical ablation during mitral valve surgery and other common heart operations can help patients live longer, a new meta-analysis confirmed.

The late-breaking U.S. multicenter admIRE clinical trial at the Heart Rhythm Society 2024 meeting, showed positive data on the long-term safety and effectiveness of the the Biosense Webster Varipulse pulsed field ablation (PFA) system in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. #HRS #HRS2024 #PFA

Johnson & Johnson MedTech gains FDA approval for Varipulse PFA system

Johnson & Johnson is now the third company with an FDA-approved PFA system in its portfolio, joining Medtronic and Boston Scientific. Varipulse previously gained CE mark approval in February. 

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Boston Scientific agrees to acquire AFib ablation company

Boston Scientific has scooped up Cortex, a healthcare technology company launched by the venture capital firm Ajax Health in 2023, in a move that will expand its EP offerings.

Heart Rhythm Society launches new group focused on EP advocacy

The new organization, Heart Rhythm Advocates, will urge federal policymakers to pass legislation and support actions that have a positive impact on the future of electrophysiology.

Medtronic's Affera mapping and ablation system with the Sphere-9 catheter

FDA approves Medtronic’s new all-in-one mapping and ablation system for AFib

Medtronic is now the first company to offer two FDA-approved PFA systems for the treatment of persistent AFib. The company’s PulseSelect PFA system gained approval in December 2023. 

Boston Scientific has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its Farawave Nav ablation catheter for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AFib) and FDA clearance for its new Faraview software

Boston Scientific scores 2 key FDA approvals for PFA mapping technology

The two newly approved technologies are used together to help visualize cardiac ablation procedures performed with Boston Scientific’s Farapulse pulsed field ablation system.

Overview of the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with arrhythmogenesis in the setting of COVID-19 infection. Image from Circulation.

AHA issues a scientific statement on COVID-19 cardiac arrhythmias

The objective of the AHA scientific statement is to review the available evidence on for better management of cardiac arrhythmias from COVID causes that are still encountered on a regular basis.

Cardiologists have performed what they believe to be the world’s first substernal lead extraction, sharing their experience in JACC: Case Reports.[1]The device being extracted, Medtronic’s Aurora EV-ICD, received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in October 2023.

Cardiologists perform world’s first substernal lead extraction

The 49-year-old patient was not in pain or suffering any complications, but he wished to have his extravascular ICD removed once his symptoms improved. The care team agreed to extract it after a long discussion, and they said it was "easier than expected." 

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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.

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