Powers Health is offering a new specialized approach to treat a common heart condition called atrial fibrillation, or AFib.
Cardiologists at Community Hospital in Munster performed the healthcare system’s first procedure using a pulsed field ablation system (PFA) system that delivers targeted electrical pulses to treat areas of heart tissue that cause AFib. The new procedure offers a safe and effective alternative to traditional ablation methods.
“We are excited to implement this new method for cardiac ablation procedures,” said Pratik Patel, MD, an electrophysiologist with Powers Health. “Our patients are benefitting from this transformed approach to AFib treatment that can offer less risk of collateral damage to adjoining tissue than conventional thermal ablation.”
AFib is a rapid, irregular heartbeat that may affect quality of life and put people at a higher risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. Symptoms include fluttering or pounding heartbeat, fatigue, chest pain and shortness of breath. AFib is treatable and often managed with a procedure called cardiac ablation.
In a traditional ablation, extreme heat or cold is applied via catheter to areas of the heart associated with abnormal heart rhythms. The new approach, using the FARAPULSE™ system from Boston Scientific, instead uses electric fields to treat those areas of the heart. This non-thermal approach is proven to be an effective option for patients while minimizing the risk of damaging surrounding tissue, compared to traditional ablation.
The procedure takes between two and four hours. Patients typically go home the same day, but some stay in the hospital overnight and go home the following morning. With pulsed field ablation, many patients are able to discontinue their AFib medications and enjoy improved quality of life.
“The incidence of atrial fibrillation is on the rise, and access to advanced therapies for our community is essential,” said Dale O’Donnell, vice president of Cardiology Services for Powers Health. “Offering this innovative approach to treating AFib is a step forward in ensuring our patients have the best possible outcomes.”
To learn more about the innovative cardiovascular services offered at Powers Health, visit PowersHealth.org/heart.
