28
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
YEAR IN REVIEW ( FY2022 )
Total EP procedures
4,296
Total EP cases
1,993
Pacemakers / ICDs implanted
752
Permanent pacemaker insertions or replacements
432
ICD implants or replacements
320
ILR
203
AV node ablations 58
Afib ablations
365
SVT ablations
232
Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas continues to be recognized as a national leader in electrophysiology ( EP ). With a focus on successful outcomes , patient satisfaction and a commitment to be on the leading edge of EP innovation , the success of the electrophysiology program has resulted from years of experience — experience that only a high-volume electrophysiology program can provide .
Home to many “ firsts ” in the history of the diagnosis and treatment of patients living with abnormal heartbeats , the philosophy of the electrophysiology team is to support involvement from the referring primary care physician and the patient ’ s non-interventional cardiologist .
The first balloon ablation procedure was performed at Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas in 2006 . The procedure was approved for commercial use in 2010 and has become a widely accepted approach . The hospital was also the first in North Texas to use the third generation cryoablation device . In addition , as a result of the acute understanding for the often circuitous journey patients with heart rhythm disorders navigate for treatment , medical leaders collaborated several years ago to form a concierge-style approach for patients via the Heart Rhythm Center .
The high-volume program includes the diagnosis and treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation , ventricular tachycardia , Wolff Parkinson White syndrome , atrial flutter , and other abnormal heart rhythms . Treatment labs equipped with technologically advanced equipment , such as 3D mapping , enable the team of clinicians to deliver the appropriate treatment to each patient experiencing a heart rhythm problem . The multidisciplinary team is comprised of experienced fellowship-trained electrophysiologists , cardiologists , imaging specialists , specially trained nurses , and researchers focused on heart rhythm studies and clinical trials . Cardiac surgeons may be a part of the team depending on the treatment option or for those patients who are candidates for the surgical procedure MAZE and the hybrid convergent procedure .
LATEST TREATMENT OPTION : HYBRID ABLATION FOR PERSISTENT AFIB
Participation in clinical trials often leads to being one of the first hospitals in the region or Texas to offer leading edge electrophysiology treatment options . Last fiscal year , a newer treatment option , convergent , was added to the list of innovative options for patients with persistent forms of atrial fibrillation . The option continues to gain awareness with referrals coming from throughout the region to the Dallas campus .
The procedure includes both epicardial and endocardial ablation and combines the expertise of both a cardiothoracic surgeon and an electrophysiologist . Generally , the full treatment is usually performed in two stages , two to six weeks apart . Initially the cardiothoracic surgeon will make a small 2cm to 3cm subxiphoid incision . Using a camera and long scope , a special device will ablate the posterior wall of the heart with radiofrequency energy . At the same time , via three small ports on the left lateral of the chest , the surgeon will thoracoscopically place a clip across the base of the left atrial appendage which will provide electrical isolation and reduce stroke risk .
VT ablations
107