Outcomes 2019 - Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital BSWHHVH_646_2019 Outcomes JOOMAG MOD | Page 21

In the past fiscal year, catheter ablation has grown as a treatment option
for patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT), the abnormal rapid heart
rhythm originating from the lower pumping chambers of the heart—the
ventricles. Most commonly seen in patients with a weakened heart
muscle from cardiomyopathy or from scar tissue as a result of a prior
heart attack, VT left untreated can evolve into ventricular fibrillation (VF).
VF can be fatal if not defibrillated into normal rhythm.
To perform the procedure, skilled electrophysiologists on the medical
staff place a long, thin wire into the heart chambers femorally (through
veins in the leg). Once the areas of the arrhythmia are identified, a
localized burst of radiofrequency energy is applied, cauterizing the
abnormal electric circuit of the VT.
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.
MRI capability for ICD patients
Patients with cardiac implantable devices, including pacemakers and/
or defibrillators, now have the option of receiving an MRI in the hospital’s
cardiac imaging department. Previously, an MRI for patients with older
devices was not recommended. Thanks to new MRI technology and
advanced implantable devices that have been manufactured to be
compatible with the imaging technology, these patients are able to have
this important diagnostic test.
468
ICD implants or
replacements (FY19) :
374
Implant/explant event
recorder (FY19) :
187
Catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia
Permanent
pacemaker insertions
or replacements (FY19) :
Lead extractions (FY19) :
68
LAAO (FY19) :
55
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. Today, the EP labs at the hospital use
a thin new version of the cryoablation catheter with critical changes
that make the catheter more maneuverable by the electrophysiologist
while still delivering the energy needed to successfully treat paroxysmal
atrial fibrillation.
21
VT ablations (FY19) :
90
AFib ablations (FY19) :
371
SVT ablations (FY19) :
283