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Ten major studies, announcements of technological advances in arrhythmia treatment
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In recent years, several new technologies for the treatment of arrhythmia disorders have emerged, while older technologies have continued to be improved upon. Devices such as leadless pacemakers, contact force-sensing ablation catheters and subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators and implantable loop records have been shown in real-world practice or clinical trials to increase clinicians' ability to diagnose and treat arrhythmias, while improving rates of complications resulting from treatment.
Cardiology Today has compiled 10 articles outlining major studies, FDA approvals and announcements in the field of arrhythmia disorders.
Micra leadless pacemaker successfully implanted in first four patients
The Micra leadless pacemaker was successfully implanted in the first four patients to receive the device, according to a presentation at Cardiostim 2014. Read more
Leadless pacemaker shows promising results at 1 year
SAN FRANCISCO — The Nanostim leadless pacemaker continued to show safety and efficacy at 1 year, according to findings from the LEADLESS study presented at the Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions. Read more
Leadless pacemaker safe, effective in early testing
Early testing in 33 patients showed that a self-contained, single-chamber leadless cardiac pacemaker was safe and effective. Read more
EFFORTLESS data illustrate long-term safety, efficacy of subcutaneous ICD
Real-world data from the EFFORTLESS S-ICD registry indicate that the Boston Scientific subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator demonstrates appropriate performance and has comparable rates of clinical events and inappropriate shocks as conventional implantable cardioverter defibrillators. Read more
Vivek Y. Reddy, MD, on the SMART-AF trial
SAN FRANCISCO — In this video, Vivek Y. Reddy, MD, director of electrophysiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center, discusses the SMART-AF trial, presented at the Heart Rhythm Society Annual Scientific Sessions. The trial assessed AF ablation using the SmartTouch catheter (Biosense Webster), which includes a contact force sensor to determine when contact with tissue is made and the degree of force being applied. The results indicated a significant improvement in success rate among operators able to maintain optimal force during the procedure compared with those that did not. Watch video
New data demonstrate efficacy, safety of subcutaneous ICD
The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator system appears safe and was well tolerated in a broad range of patients that require implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy, according to results of a prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter trial. Read more
FDA approves ablation catheter for treatment of certain arrhythmias
Biosense Webster announced that the FDA has approved its ThermoCool SmartTouch ablation catheter for the treatment of patients with drug-resistant paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, sustained monomorphic ischemic ventricular tachycardia or Type I atrial flutter. Read more
Insertable cardiac monitor receives FDA clearance, CE mark
Medtronic announced that its Reveal LINQ insertable cardiac monitor has received both FDA 510(k) clearance and a CE Mark. The device is indicated for patients who experience symptoms such as dizziness, palpitation, syncope and chest pain that may suggest cardiac arrhythmia, as well as for patients at increased risk for cardiac arrhythmia. Read more
CRYSTAL AF: Insertable cardiac monitor detected AF in patients with cryptogenic stroke
SAN DIEGO — An insertable cardiac monitor was superior to standard cardiac monitoring for the detection of atrial fibrillation in patients with cryptogenic stroke. Read more
SMART-AF: Novel catheter enabled contact force sensing in AF ablation
DENVER — Contact force pressure feedback delivered by a novel catheter appears to be safe and effective for the treatment of symptomatic, drug-refractory, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, according to 12-month results from the SMART-AF trial. Read more