EP Lab

This channel includes news and new technology innovations for cardiac electrophysiology (EP) systems, techniques and devices using in EP labs. This includes implantable EP devices, pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), cardiac resychronization therapy (CRT), ablation technologies, left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion, atrial fibrilation (AF) and Holter monitors.

The AcQMap 3D Imaging and Mapping System, left, and the AliveCor KardiaMobile device and app for personal ECG monitoring using a smartphone, right. The companies plan to use remote monitoring to see if it helps improve care for ablation patients.

News | EP Lab

AliveCor and Acutus Partner to Evaluate Arrhythmia Management and Treatment

July 27, 2021 — AliveCor Inc., which offers FDA-cleared, smart-phone enabled personal electrocardiogram (ECG) technology ...

July 27, 2021

Medtronic announced new data from the landmark WRAP-IT study published in Heart Rhythm,[1] demonstrating a significantly lower infection risk for patients who develop hematomas after cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) when the Tyrx Absorbable Antibacterial Envelope is used at implant. The analysis showed an 82% reduction in major CIED infections among patients with the Tyrx Envelope who developed hematomas compared to patients in the control group who developed hematomas.

News | EP Lab

Tyrx Absorbable Antibacterial Envelope Effectively Reduces Infections in Cardiac Device Patients with Hematomas

July 27, 2021 — Medtronic announced new data from the landmark WRAP-IT study published in Heart Rhythm,[1] demonstrating ...

July 27, 2021

In the past decade there has been a proliferation of clinical-grade wearable monitors and implantable devices such as pacemakers, ICDs, implantable cardiac monitors, and new pacemaker-like devices that can control hypertension. In the near future, these devices will be tied into a body-wide internet of things for specific patients that can transmit patient data to clinicians wirelessly to enable an integrated, more robust form of telecardiology and telemedicine.

Feature | Telecardiology | Victor Wollesen

Next Generation Cardiac Wearables and Implantables Will Integrate Into Wireless Body Area Networks

Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death for people over 65 years old in North America and Europe ...

July 23, 2021

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Case Study | Cardiovascular Information Systems (CVIS)

Single-Database Cardiology Platform Drives Efficient Workflow and Improves Data Access

Washington Health System (WHS) provides healthcare services at more than 40 offsite locations across three counties in ...

April 01, 2021

A live, 3-D intra-cardiac echo (ICE) ultrasound image from inside the atrium of the heart taken during the first cryoablation EP procedure performed using the technology at Northwestern Medicine. The new Philips Healthcare VeriSight Pro ICE catheter offers superior 2-D and 3-D live image guidance for a wide range of procedures in structural heart disease and electrophysiology (EP), allowing interventionalists to navigate procedures.

Feature | Ultrasound Intra-cardiac Echo (ICE)

Northwestern Medicine First in U.S. to Use Live 3D Intracardiac Echo for EP Procedure

July 21, 2021 — Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute recently became the first cardiovascular program in ...

July 21, 2021

ICE image showing the inside of the heart. Mayo Clinic recently became the first to use the next-generation Philips 4-D intracardiac echo imaging catheter. ICE is seeing increased use in structural heart procedures.

News | Ultrasound Intra-cardiac Echo (ICE)

Mayo Clinic First to Use Next Generation 4D ICE System to Guide Structural Heart Procedures

July 16, 2021 — Mayo Clinic recently became the first to use a next-generation 4-D intracardiac echo (ICE) imaging ...

July 16, 2021

Medtronic announced clinical trial results from the STROKE AF trial demonstrating the superiority of the Reveal Linq Insertable Cardiac Monitor (ICM) to detect abnormal heartbeats, otherwise known as atrial fibrillation (AF), in both large and small vessel stroke patients compared to standard of care.

News | Implantable Cardiac Monitor (ICM)

Medtronic Insertable Cardiac Monitor Detects Significantly Higher Rates of Atrial Fibrillation in Large and Small Vessel Stroke Patients Compared to Standard of Care

June 13, 2021 — Medtronic announced clinical trial results from the STROKE AF trial demonstrating the superiority of the ...

July 14, 2021

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Feature | ECG

A Double-Edged Sword: How Over-the-Counter ECG Devices are Impacting Cardiac Care

Apple created a stir when it announced in 2018 that its Apple Watch Series 4 was the first consumer health and fitness ...

March 11, 2020

ast End Medical announced it received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for the company's SafeCross Transseptal Radiofrequency (RF) Puncture and Steerable Balloon Introducer System. The 3-in-1 system, which includes a steerable introducer sheath with an ultra-visible positioning balloon and radiofrequency (RF) puncture dilator, aims to provide a predictable and safe solution for electrophysiology (EP) and structural heart interventions requiring left atrial access.

News | Cath Lab

FDA Clears SafeCross Transseptal RF Puncture and Steerable Balloon Introducer System

July 13, 2021 — East End Medical announced it received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for the company ...

July 14, 2021

An example of a strain echo from the study showing reduced peak longitudinal/reservoir left atrial strain in a COVID-19 patient who developed atrial fibrillation during admission. Average left atrial strain here is 20% (normal should be above 38%).

News | Cardiovascular Ultrasound

Speckle Tracking Strain Echo May Predict Heart Complications From COVID-19

July 13, 2021 — Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have shown that speckle-tracking strain echocardiograms may ...

July 14, 2021

The FDA has cleared Angel Medical Systems' second-generation AngelMed Guardian device. The implantable cardiac device detects and warns patients if they are having an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) event, including silent heart attacks. The new, second-generation device is enhanced with ease-of-use adaptations and an updated, long life battery that could potentially double the life of the implanted device

News | Cardiac Diagnostics

FDA Approves AngelMed Enhanced Real-Time Cardiac Monitor for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) Events

July 1, 2021 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the Angel Medical Systems Inc. second-generation ...

July 01, 2021

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Several wearable, less-obtrusive ECG monitors fhave been cleared by the FDA for longer wear. This example is Cardiac Insight’s Cardea SOLO device.

Feature | ECG

Moving Beyond Holter ECG: The Rise in Next Generation Technology

When the patients of Michael Boler, M.D. need cardiac monitoring, the Holter monitor is no longer his first choice. “The newer ECG devices we have now are so much less cumbersome. It’s like wearing a Band-Aid versus carrying a bulky device,” said the Greenwood, Mississippi internist. “My patients prefer the more comfortable, wire-free form factor, and the quality is as good as, or better, than the Holter,” continued Boler. “Plus, my patient compliance has increased. With the Holter, the leads sometimes come off. The patient may think the device isn’t working, so they take it off and we have to restart the process.”

February 19, 2020

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded approval for Medtronic's Arctic Front Family of cardiac cryoablation catheters for the treatment of recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AFib). The indication is for episodes that last less than seven continuous days and the therapy can be used as an alternative to antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy as an initial rhythm control strategy.

News | Atrial Fibrillation

FDA Expands Arctic Front Family of Cryoablation Catheters for Initial Use in Recurrent Symptomatic Paroxysmal AF

June 23, 2021 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded approval for Medtronic's Arctic Front Family of ...

June 23, 2021

$GE is integrating artificial intelligence into most of its imaging and information technology software. AI can aid fast critical care decision making. Above left is the vScan Air wireless point-of-care ultrasound system. It integrates AI for immediate, automated assessment of a patient's ejection fraction, right.$

Feature | Artificial Intelligence

AI Collaboration is Key to Unlock its Power in Cardiac Care

The digital transformation of healthcare is underway, but it will advance further and faster if key stakeholders work ...

June 10, 2021

Some of the top technology news from ACC 2021. Top left, the LAAOS III trial showed benefit when surgeons seal off the LAA during other open heart procedures. Bottom left, the ReCor Paradise renal denervation system helped lower blood pressure in patients who did not respond to medication. Top right, for patients with both heart failure and AFib it makes no differences is therapy is focused on controlling the heart rhythm or heart rate. Bottom right, the FLOWER-MI trial found no benefit to FFR-guided PCI.

Feature | ACC | By Dave Fornell, Editor

Key Cardiology Technology Takeaways at ACC 2021

Here are the top 10 takeaways from the late-breaking studies on cardiovascular technologies presented at the 2021 Americ ...

June 08, 2021

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Most professional athletes participate in cardiovascular screening to identify often-asymptomatic heart disorders, but the debate continues on whether to mandate ECGs as part of pre-participation screening for student athletes. Photo courtesy of Play for Patrick.

Feature | Sudden Cardiac Arrest

As Interpretation Criteria Evolve, False Positive Athlete ECG Screening Rates Can Decrease

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the leading medical cause of death in young athletes and its impact is consistent worldwide. Most professional athletes in the United States are required to take part in comprehensive cardiovascular screening programs to identify often-asymptomatic congenital or inherited heart disorders, and other cardiac risk factors. There remains a debate however, whether to mandate ECGs as part of pre-participation screening programs for student athletes at the collegiate and high school levels or even at younger ages.

October 16, 2018