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.

Direct oral anti-coagulants less likely to result in major bleeding after rare, fatal stroke

Direct oral anti-coagulant (anti-clotting) (DOAC) medications that target a single clotting factor work just as well to prevent future clots as the older, less-specific medication warfarin.

11 Feb 2022

Prevalence of genetic susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmia may be underestimated, study says

By sequencing known genes associated with cardiac arrhythmia risk in more than 20,000 people without an indication for genetic testing, scientists were able to identify pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants in nearly one percent of individuals, according to a study published in Circulation.

9 Feb 2022

Families of Black patients found to have greater risk for dilated cardiomyopathy

Black patients diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) of unknown cause are more likely to have family members at risk of developing the heart muscle disease than families of white patients, according to results of a multi-site study led by researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine.

1 Feb 2022

Meta-analysis confirms complete failure of hydroxychloroquine/chloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment

Researchers investigate the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine in the treatment of patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

17 Jan 2022

Both symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events

Researcers determine the risk of symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection on post-acute cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality.

4 Jan 2022

Powerful new device monitors the electrical activity inside heart cells

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a powerful new tool that monitors the electrical activity inside heart cells, using tiny "pop-up" sensors that poke into cells without damaging them.

23 Dec 2021

Researchers find a digital silver lining in failed COVID-19 drug trial

A clinical trial in which two test drugs failed to help patients with mild COVID-19 nevertheless had a silver lining: It proved the viability of a study model in which a medication's potential arrhythmic side effects are safely, effectively monitored without the participants ever setting foot in a hospital or clinic.

20 Dec 2021

Study identifies genetic causes of sudden unexplained deaths in children aged 1 year and older

A new study found that changes in specific genes may contribute each year to the roughly 400 sudden unexplained deaths in children (SUDC) aged 1 year and older—and separately from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

20 Dec 2021

Earlier screening for rare genetic mutation could lead to faster treatment for heart failure in Black Americans

Researchers have linked a rare genetic mutation found mostly in Black Americans and other people of African descent to an earlier onset of heart failure and a higher risk of hospitalization.

8 Dec 2021

First pediatric-only guidelines for the use of pacemakers and implantable defibrillators

Children's Hospital Los Angeles cardiologist Michael Silka, MD, helped to pioneer the development of indications for the use of pacemakers and implantable defibrillators in young patients.

6 Dec 2021

Study: Small percentage of college athletes with COVID-19 develop myocarditis

A small but significant percentage of college athletes with COVID-19 develop myocarditis, a potentially dangerous inflammation of the heart muscle, that can only be seen on cardiac MRI, according to a study being presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.

29 Nov 2021

Study shows risk of MIS-C post mRNA vaccination against COVID-19 in children with autoimmune complications

Researchers discuss two cases of MIS-V after the patients had received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2).

23 Nov 2021

Study finds beneficial and harmful short-term health effects of caffeinated coffee consumption

Drinking caffeinated coffee appears to have both beneficial and harmful short-term health effects: increased abnormal heartbeats, increased physical activity and reduced sleep duration, according to late-breaking research presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2021.

15 Nov 2021

Anticoagulation treatment may prevent cognitive decline in older atrial fibrillation patients

The anticoagulant medication dabigatran yielded similar results to warfarin for the prevention of cognitive decline in older adults with atrial fibrillation after two years of treatment, according to late-breaking research presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2021.

15 Nov 2021

Single mathematical equation can be used to predict a life-threatening heart rhythm

How ventricular fibrillation will behave in an individual patient can be accurately modelled and predicted using a single mathematical equation, according to Flinders University researchers.

9 Nov 2021

Substance use, high alcohol consumption may increase the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation

Using methamphetamines, opiates, cocaine and cannabis, as well as acute alcohol consumption (alcohol consumption within a week preceding an atrial fibrillation event) may increase the risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation, according to preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2021.

8 Nov 2021

Scientists document the spread of atrial fibrillation risk gene across continents and over centuries

University of Utah Health scientists have documented the spread of a disease gene across continents and over centuries.

8 Nov 2021

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination lowers risk of several outcomes after breakthrough infection

Researchers at the University of Oxford have conducted a study showing that vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a lower risk of several sequelae among those who experience breakthrough infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

28 Oct 2021

Specialized cells that keep the heart beating have ability to regenerate after birth, study reveals

Specialized cells that conduct electricity to keep the heart beating have a previously unrecognized ability to regenerate in the days after birth, a new study in mice by UT Southwestern researchers suggests.

7 Oct 2021

Patient-specific whole-heart computational models provide insights for personalized treatment

Whole-heart ventricular modeling has come a long way in recent years and is currently witnessing the evolution of a variety of computational approaches, especially within the realm of personalized technologies for patient-specific clinical applications.

29 Sep 2021