2025 Cardiovascular Institute Annual Report | Page 31

ARRHYTHMIA

UAB Medicine’ s Electrophysiology( EP) Section is the largest and most experienced program of its kind in Alabama. UAB’ s electrophysiologists are leaders in diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation / flutter, premature ventricular contractions( PVC), ventricular tachycardia, Wolff- Parkinson-White syndrome, left atrial appendage, and atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia.

Our internationally acclaimed physicians work within a multidisciplinary group of scientists and with other UAB departments, such as Biomedical Engineering, to provide extensive diagnostic and therapeutic care to patients with complex arrhythmias. Approximately 5,800 rhythmrelated procedures are performed each year in the four EP suites in the UAB Heart and Vascular Center, with welldocumented success.

700 + Ventricular Arrhythmia Ablations in 3 years

Rated‘ High Performing’ in Heart Arrhythmia by U. S. News & World Report

• History of innovative scientific and clinical contributions to the field of catheter ablation.

• Current mapping technology has eliminated the need for contrast and fluoroscopy for almost all procedures, including atrial fibrillation ablation, making procedures safer for patients.

• Vascular closure and early ambulation allow most patients to be discharged the same day.

• Advanced mapping technology allows for successful ablation of complex tachycardia.

• UAB is a major referral center for pacemaker and ICD lead extraction, with approximately 200 procedures performed annually, making it one of the highest volume centers in the region.

• Left atrial appendage occlusion procedures are performed to close the left atrial appendage and protect patients from stroke without the use of long-term blood thinners. Most patients can be discharged the same day.

• High procedural volumes in both atrial fibrillation ablation and LAAO, reflecting deep expertise and patient trust.

• Active participation in the HEAL-LAA study, collecting outcomes data for left atrial appendage using a closure device in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

• Ongoing involvement in the SIMPLAAFY study, which aims to define optimal post-procedural anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy and may pave the way for LAAO with aspirin alone.

• UAB is a leader in technology development, with a number of ongoing studies for arrythmia management and left atrial appendage closure.

PROCEDURE VOLUME

CARDIAC MAPPING LCV SLOW CONDUCTION THROUGH SCAR

CY23 CY24

14 UAB Cardiovascular Institute 2025 Annual Report