• Patient stays typically two nights post procedure
• Patient will return to an EP lab a few weeks later for a follow-up procedure of cryoenergy ( freezing ) coupled with radiofrequency energy to ablate any areas still emitting abnormal signals
• The electrophysiologist meticulously connects his / her work with the post-exterior ablation that was performed by the cardiothoracic surgeon
• Patient is typically discharged same day following the endocardial portion of the procedure
Electrophysiology
21
Home to many “ firsts ” in the history of the diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias , 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 .
The first balloon ablation procedure was performed at Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas in 2006 .
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 .
The EP labs at Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital – Dallas are equipped with sophisticated 3D mapping technology , decreasing the need for fluoroscopy and improving procedural time efficiency . The arrhythmia-locating technology combines magnetic and current-based technologies for real time display of catheter locations , as well as intra-cardiac echocardiography images of the heart ’ s chambers . These maps contain anatomical , electrical voltage , electrical activation times and ablation data .
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 . 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 .
• Patient stays typically two nights post procedure
• Patient will return to an EP lab a few weeks later for a follow-up procedure of cryoenergy ( freezing ) coupled with radiofrequency energy to ablate any areas still emitting abnormal signals
• The electrophysiologist meticulously connects his / her work with the post-exterior ablation that was performed by the cardiothoracic surgeon
• Patient is typically discharged same day following the endocardial portion of the procedure
YEAR IN REVIEW ( FY2023 )
Total EP procedures
4,402
Total EP cases
2,270
Permanent pacemaker insertions or replacements 458
ICD implants or replacements 315
ILR
306
AV node ablations
54
Afib ablations 577
SVT ablations
246
VT ablations 83
Leadless pacemakers implanted
43
Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital - Dallas | ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY