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.

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

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

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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.

Blog | ECG

BLOG: 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 ...

August 24, 2022

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

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

Implicity provides a remote cardiac monitoring and research platform used by Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities and medical centers to deliver high-quality care for patients with connected cardiac devices. On this platform, Implicity aggregates, normalizes and standardizes data from any implantable cardiac device across all manufacturers.

News | EP Lab

Implicity Signs U.S. Distribution Agreement With MicroPort CRM to Expand Remote Monitoring of Various Implanted Cardiac Devices

June 2, 2021 — Implicity, a leader in remote patient monitoring software and cardiac data management solutions ...

June 02, 2021

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OTC ECG devices can help detect abnormal heart rhythms in the general population, and this technology will continue to improve.

Blog | ECG

BLOG: 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 ...

August 24, 2022

Left, the AcQCross Transseptal Crossing Device offers versatility to be utilized with top sheaths currently used in left atrium EP and structural heart procedures. Right, the AcQMap next-generation mapping catheter integrates high-resolution ultrasound-based imaging and non-contact mapping catheter with improved torque response, handling and maneuverability.

News | EP Lab

Acutus Gains European CE Mark for Suite of Next Generation EP Products

May 25, 2021 — Acutus Medical Inc. announced European CE mark approval for a broad suite of electrophysiology (EP) produ ...

May 25, 2021

iRhythm Technologies Inc. announced two new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearances — one for a new and improved design of its flagship Zio wearable cardiac monitor, and a second for updated artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

News | Wearables

FDA Clears Smaller iRhythm Monitor with AI Arrhythmia Detection

May 25, 2021 — iRhythm Technologies Inc. announced two new U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearances — ...

May 25, 2021

RAFT-AF study showed type of heart failure may influence treatment strategies for heart rate management vs. arrhythmia control in in patients with heart heart and atrial fibrillation. #ACC21 #ACC2021

News | Heart Failure

Type of Heart Failure May Influence Optimal Approach for AFib Rhythm Control Versus Rate Control Strategy

May 19, 2021 — Among patients with both heart failure and atrial fibrillation (AFib), treatment strategies focused on ...

May 19, 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

Etripamil nasal spray was shown in a post-hoc analysis to resolve paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia faster and more completely than placebo in most patients and reduced the number of emergency room visits for additional interventions.

Feature | EP Lab | By Dave Fornell, Editor

Etripamil Nasal Spray Reduced ER Vistsis and More PSVT Resolution in New NODE-301 Analysis

May 16, 2020 — New data from in the NODE-301 Trial for the patient-administered nasal spray etripamil to resolve ...

May 16, 2021

The Boston Scientific Watchman device have performed better than expected in real-world patients outside of trials since it was introduced in 2015, according to data from the NCDR LAAO Registry. #ACC21 #ACC2021 #LAA #Watchman

Feature | Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluders

NCDR LAAO Registry Shows Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Associated With Low Rate of Stroke

May 15, 2021 - Transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with a Boston Scientific Watchman device was ...

May 16, 2021

In the LAAOS III trial, surgeons could seal off the LAA during the open heart procedure using sutures, staples or approved closure devices. The image shows a SentraHeart lasso type LAA occluder about to seal off the LAA from the outside of the heart. #ACC21 #ACC2021

News | Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Occluders

Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Reduces Stroke After Heart Surgery

May 15, 2021 — Patients with an elevated risk of stroke due to heart rhythm problems, or atrial fibrillation (AFib) ...

May 15, 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

A device programmer showing the suspension of ICD therapies (orange bar, red arrow) with iPhone 12 laying over patient’s chest (green arrow) and fluoroscopy of iPhone 12 showing the circular magnet array (yellow arrow). Image from a small study at Henry Ford Hospital. Read the full study

News | EP Lab

FDA Warns Magnets in Cell Phones and Smart Watches May Affect Pacemakers and Other EP Devices

May 14, 2021 — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising patients and caregivers to keep any consumer ...

May 14, 2021

News | EP Lab

Abbott Recalls Assurity and Endurity Pacemakers

May 14, 2021 — Abbott is recalling a subset of Assurity and Endurity pacemakers built using specific manufacturing ...

May 14, 2021

News | EP Lab

Pulsed Electric Field Focal Ablation Catheter From Galaxy Medical and Japan Life Will Seek FDA Clearance

May 12, 2021 — Galaxy Medical and Japan Lifeline announced an exclusive distribution agreement for the Alpha1 ablation ...

May 12, 2021