Arrhythmia News and Research

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An arrhythmia is a problem with the speed or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. A heartbeat that is too fast is called tachycardia. A heartbeat that is too slow is called bradycardia. Most arrhythmias are harmless, but some can be serious or even life threatening. When the heart rate is too slow, too fast, or irregular, the heart may not be able to pump enough blood to the body. Lack of blood flow can damage the brain, heart, and other organs.

Mass screening programme of 75-76 year olds to identify undiagnosed AF

Stroke is the second cause of death worldwide. Atrial fibrillation is the most common clinically relevant cardiac arrhythmia in Europe, affecting approximately 1.5-2% of the general population.1 Prevalence is estimated to double in the next 50 years as the population ages.

2 Sep 2013

Johns Hopkins researchers use low-energy light to solve serious heart problems

When a beating heart slips into an irregular, life-threatening rhythm, the treatment is well known: deliver a burst of electric current from a pacemaker or defibrillator. But because the electricity itself can cause pain, tissue damage and other serious side-effects, a Johns Hopkins-led research team wants to replace these jolts with a kinder, gentler remedy: light.

29 Aug 2013

Respicardia reports successful implant of remede System for CSA patients

Respicardia, a developer of implantable therapies to improve respiratory and cardiovascular health, announced the successful implant of the first commercially-available remede system for patients with Central Sleep Apnea.

28 Aug 2013

Virtual 3-D heart model analyzes defibrillator placement in children born with heart defects

The small size and abnormal anatomy of children born with heart defects often force doctors to place lifesaving defibrillators entirely outside the heart, rather than partly inside — a less-than-ideal solution to dangerous heart rhythms that involves a degree of guesstimating and can compromise therapy.

22 Aug 2013

D-Pharm announces promising results with drug candidates in models of HAT and malaria

D-Pharm Ltd., announced today on-line publication of promising results with its drug candidates, DP-460 and DP-b99, in models of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) and malaria.

20 Aug 2013

Diabetic patients taking oral fluoroquinolones may have high risk of severe blood sugar-related problems

Diabetic patients taking oral fluoroquinolones, a frequently prescribed class of antibiotics, were found to have a higher risk of severe blood sugar-related problems than diabetic patients taking other kinds of antibiotics, according to a recent study from Taiwan published in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

16 Aug 2013

AliveCor Heart Monitor for iPhone can detect heart rhythm problems, prevent strokes

A special iPhone case and app can be used to quickly and cheaply detect heart rhythm problems and prevent strokes, according to University of Sydney research presented at the Australia and New Zealand Cardiac Society conference today on the Gold Coast.

9 Aug 2013

Researchers explain how gut bacteria can inactivate cardiac drugs

For decades, doctors have understood that microbes in the human gut can influence how certain drugs work in the body - by either activating or inactivating specific compounds, but questions have long remained about exactly how the process works.

26 Jul 2013

Review shows lifetime substance abuse is common in street children from low-income countries

Millions of children worldwide live on the streets. A review and analysis of 50 studies on substance abuse by street children in 22 resource-constrained countries has found lifetime substance use to be both common and high, posing serious threats to their health as well as for their chances for reintegration into society.

15 Jul 2013

Study sheds new light on causes, health consequences of drug use among street children

Drug use is common among street children, posing serious threats to both their health and their chances for reintegration into society. It's difficult to reduce drug use among street children without a good understanding of the problem, and up to now the research has been confined mainly to local studies with inconsistent results.

12 Jul 2013

Study suggests patient's neurons may be altered in different ways, although resulting disease is same

Epilepsy, irregular heartbeats and other conditions caused by malfunctions in the body's nerve cells, also known as neurons, can be difficult to treat. The problem is that one medicine may help some patients but not others.

2 Jul 2013

Excessive intake of cola and honey can cause fainting and arrhythmia symptoms, shows study

Drinking excessive amounts of cola and eating honey made from the pollen of Rhododendrons can cause unusual syncope (fainting) and symptoms of arrhythmia, report two case studies presented as abstracts at the EHRA EUROPACE 2013 meeting, in Athens 23 to 26 June.

25 Jun 2013

EHRA White Book reports on current status of arrhythmia treatments in 55 ESC member countries2

The first European data on lead extraction was released today by the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). The information is published in the EHRA White Book 20131, launched at EHRA EUROPACE 2013 in Athens, Greece, during 23-26 June.

24 Jun 2013

Sorin Group announces CE mark approval, launch of REPLY 200 family of pacemakers with SAM

Sorin Group, a global medical company and a leader in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, announced today CE mark approval and the European commercial launch of the REPLY 200 family of pacemakers featuring Sleep Apnea Monitoring.

18 Jun 2013

Research discovery could shed light on unsolved cases of arrhythmia

The heart's regular rhythm is crucial to the delivery of oxygenated blood and nutrients to all the organs of the body. It is regulated by a bundle of cells called "the pacemaker," which use electrical signals to set the pace of the heart. Dysfunction in this mechanism can lead to an irregular heartbeat, known as arrhythmia, and often necessitates the implantation of an artificial pacemaker.

12 Jun 2013

New research proves value of PET/MR compared to PET/CT in cardiac applications

Just a few years ago, integrated positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance (PET/MR) imaging was found only in research institutes, but little by little the technology has expanded into clinical practice.

11 Jun 2013

More than 20 UK hospitals to use AliveCor Heart Monitor during Heart Rhythm Awareness Week

More than 20 hospitals in the United Kingdom will use the AliveCor Heart Monitor during the 10th annual Heart Rhythm Awareness Week June 3-9, sponsored by Arrhythmia Alliance, The Heart Rhythm Charity in the U.K.

From Medtronic 3 Jun 2013

Shire's scientific data on treatments for psychiatric disorders to be presented at APA meeting

Shire plc, the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces that it will present scientific data in 7 poster presentations at the American Psychiatric Association 166th Annual Meeting in San Francisco, May 18-22.

20 May 2013

EHRA EUROPACE 2013 to feature late breaking clinical trials

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear the results of cutting edge studies, and to learn about the new Guidelines which are likely to have a tremendous impact on the European health care system.

18 May 2013

Sorin Group receives FDA approval for SMARTVIEW remote monitoring solution

Sorin Group, a global medical company and a leader in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, today announced it received FDA approval for and is beginning the U.S. launch of the SMARTVIEW remote monitoring solution for patients with implanted cardiac rhythm management devices.

13 May 2013