Atrial Fibrillation
This channel includes news and new technology innovations for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, also referred to as AF or afib. AF is a cardiac arrhythmia caused by irregular and often rapid heart rate. It is caused by the upper chambers (the atria) beating irregularly and uncoordinated with the lower ventricle chambers of of the heart. Symptoms include weakness with heart palpitations and shortness of breath. The conditional can lead to an increased risk of stroke and heart failure. AF episodes can cause the blood in the atria to stagnate and form clots, usually within the left atrial appendage (LAA). The clots can flow to the brain and cause a stroke. Treatments include anticoagulation therapy to dissolve clots, catheter or surgical ablation and LAA occlusion.
Videos | Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluders | October 02, 2020
Horst Sievert, M.D., is the director of the Cardiovascular Center Frankfurt, and associate professor of internal...
Videos | EP Lab | September 30, 2020
Peter Weiss M.D., MSc, director of ventricular arrhythmia management and robotics, and assistant clinical professor of...
News | EP Mapping and Imaging Systems | September 29, 2020
September 29, 2020 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted 510(k) clearance for the second-generation of...
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OTC ECG devices can help detect abnormal heart rhythms in the general population, and this technology will continue to improve.
Feature | ECG | March 11, 2020
Apple created a stir when it announced in 2018 that its Apple Watch Series 4 was the first consumer health and fitness...
Fitbit Sense is the company’s first device compatible with an ECG app that enables users to take a spot check reading of their heart that can be analyzed for the heart rhythm irregularity atrial fibrillation (AFib).
News | Wearables | September 24, 2020
September 24, 2020 — Fitbit received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as...
The Farapulse pulsed field ablation (PFA) system ablates heart tissue using the creation of an electric field instead of using thermal energy sources such as radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation.
News | EP Lab | September 23, 2020
Boston Scientific Invests in Pulsed Field Ablation Technology To Improve Atrial Fibrillation Therapy
September 23, 2020 — Boston Scientific Corp. signed an investment agreement with an exclusive option to acquire...
News | EP Mapping and Imaging Systems | September 14, 2020
September 14, 2020 — Philips Healthcare released new imaging and workflow enhancements for its novel Kodex-EPD cardiac...
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Several wearable, less-obtrusive ECG monitors have been cleared by the FDA for longer wear. This example is Cardiac Insight’s Cardea SOLO device.
Feature | ECG | February 19, 2020
When the patients of Michael Boler, M.D. need cardiac monitoring, the Holter monitor is no longer his first choice. “...
Biosense Webster's Carto Prime Mapping Module offers new tools to help shorten ablation time. Left is an example of Coherent imaging showing conduction identification, conduction velocity vectors and conduction barrier zones. Top right, Carto Finder Module automatic visualization of region of interest. Below right, LAT Hybrid imaging, showing correct identification of PVC location based on catheter location in sinus rhythm, and automated visualization of PVC points.
News | EP Lab | September 03, 2020
September 3, 2020 – Biosense Webster launched its Carto 3 System Version 7 and the Carto Prime Mapping Module to...
Boston Scientific recently introduced the newst iteration of LAA occluder device, the Watchman FLX. It uses small spikes to help better anchor the device and prevent embolization. Read more on this FDA approval.
News | Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluders | August 21, 2020
August 21, 2020 — According to a report published by Research Dive, the rising number of patients suffering from atrial...
News | EP Mapping and Imaging Systems | August 17, 2020
August 17, 2020 — A Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute physician was the first electrophyiologist in...
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Use of traditional Holter monitor leads can be an issue for patient compliance and comfort. The newer generation ambulatory cardiac monitors use a small, adhesive patch that sticks directly on the patient's chest and allows them to shower and go about daily activities without a belt mounted monitor or leads getting in the way. This is especially important for longer term monitoring of seven days or longer.
Feature | ECG | September 27, 2018
Advances in the technology of wearable cardiac monitors are improving both the experience of the patient and the...
The Conformal Medical CLAAS device, a next-generation transcatheter left atrial appendage (LAA) closure occluder for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). LAA occlusion allows AFib patients to go off of life-long anticoagulation therapy.
News | Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluders | August 06, 2020
August 6, 2020 – Conformal Medical Inc. announced it secured $85 million in Series C financing to support the company’s...
The TactiFlex PAF investigational device exemption (IDE) study will evaluate he investigational TactiFlex Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled (SE) to treat people suffering from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).
News | Atrial Fibrillation | August 04, 2020
August 4, 2020 — Abbott announced the first enrollments in the TactiFlex PAF investigational device exemption (IDE)...
Videos | Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluders | July 24, 2020
Devi G. Nair, M.D., FHRS, director of cardiac electrophysiology, St. Bernards Heart and Vascular Center, Jonesboro, Ark...
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An example of the new generation of cardiac monitoring device that is replacing Holter monitoring is the Cardea Solo wearable sensor. The FDA-cleared device automatically analyzes data when the device is turned back into the physician's office and automatically produces a draft summary report. This technology can simplify the workflow by eliminating the need for third-party involvement.
Feature | Atrial Fibrillation | September 13, 2018
Rapid advances in technology to monitor atrial fibrillation (AF or Afib) are enabling clinicians to access real-time...
News | Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluders | July 22, 2020
July 22, 2020 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Boston Scientific's next generation Watchman...
The Linq II implantable cardiac monitor (ICM) system delivers improved device longevity compared to other ICMs and enhanced accuracy to correctly detect abnormal heart rhythms, simplifying the diagnosis and monitoring of patients. The new devices allows continuous cardiac monitoring for up to 4.5 years.
News | Implantable Cardiac Monitor (ICM) | July 07, 2020
July 7, 2020 – Medtronic announced it received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance and European CE mark...
Videos | HRS | May 22, 2020
Interview with Andrew D. Krahn, M.D., FHRS, head of the division of cardiology at St. Paul’s Hospital, and professor of...
