TLDR:
CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center in Louisiana is the first hospital in the state to use a new technology, the Boston Scientific Farapulse Pulsed Field Ablation system, to treat atrial fibrillation. This technology is a safe and effective alternative to traditional ablation procedures, using non-thermal electric fields to ablate heart tissue. This advancement in treatment aims to provide better access to care for patients with atrial fibrillation.
CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center in Louisiana has become the first hospital in the state to offer a new treatment for atrial fibrillation using the Boston Scientific Farapulse Pulsed Field Ablation system. The procedure was performed by electrophysiologists Dr. S. Scott Wiggins and Dr. Srikar Veerareddy from Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists in Shreveport.
Traditionally, atrial fibrillation is treated using extreme temperatures to destroy abnormal heart rhythms. The new Farapulse PFA System, however, uses non-thermal electric fields to ablate heart tissue without causing damage to surrounding structures, providing a safer and more effective treatment option.
With atrial fibrillation being a common heart arrhythmia, having access to this advanced technology is crucial for improving patient care. The new treatment aims to ensure that patients receive the best and most up-to-date care for their condition. Left untreated, atrial fibrillation can lead to serious complications such as stroke.
CHRISTUS regional vice president of cardiovascular services, Deb Chelette, expressed the commitment to expanding this technology to other CHRISTUS ministries to better serve patients in their communities and provide care close to home. This advancement is expected to benefit the growing number of Americans affected by atrial fibrillation in the future.