Biosense Webster (Diamond Bar, California) has received FDA approval for its Thermocool Smarttouch catheter, making it the first therapeutic catheter approved in the U.S. that enables direct and real-time measurement of contact force during catheter ablation procedures for patients suffering from drug-resistant paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (Afib), sustained monomorphic ischemic ventricular tachycardia and Type I atrial flutter.

Caring for patients with suspected heart arrhythmias or stroke victims at risk of a second stroke requires continuous monitoring that goes beyond routine office visits. A new device from Medtronic (Minneapolis) allows doctors like John Rogers, MD, to get daily information about their patients while offering patients the peace of mind of knowing their heart is being monitored from a distance.