On October 1, cardiac electrophysiologists at Northwest Health – Porter will begin using an innovative new cardiac ablation therapy to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common heart rhythm disorder in adults.
When a person has AFib, the normal beating in the heart is irregular and blood doesn’t flow as well as it should from the atria to the lower chambers of the heart.
Traditional ablation therapies rely on thermal or cryogenic energy to disrupt the irregular electrical signals responsible for AFib. This new, leading-edge Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) technology delivers tightly focused electrical pulses which selectively block irregular heart rhythms minimizing injury to surrounding areas.
“The cardiologists here at Northwest Health – Porter stay abreast of the latest, proven treatments for heart conditions, including atrial fibrillation,” said Sandeep Sehgal, cardiologist and chair of the Department of Cardiology. “The incidence and prevalence of AFib is rising and new treatments, like PFA, allow physicians to help more patients and improve outcomes.”
During the PFA procedure, a thin catheter, or tube, is threaded from the large vein in the thigh up to the heart. The catheter then delivers a pulse to inactivate the heart cells that transmit the abnormal electrical signals causing AFib. The process safely and efficiently spares nearby normal heart tissue.
According to the American Heart Association, 6 – 8 million people have AFib and those numbers are expected to grow to 6 – 16 million over the next thirty years. It occurs when the top two chambers of the heart quiver repeatedly and irregularly. Adults with AFib have a higher risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart conditions.
About Northwest Health
Northwest Health is a regional healthcare system committed to providing communities in Northwest Indiana with high-quality, accessible health care — from highly specialized care and surgical services to more routine primary care. The system of more than 60 access points includes three hospitals, five emergency departments, urgent care centers, outpatient surgery centers, an ambulance service, and physician offices. A compassionate team of caregivers work hard to fulfill its mission to help people get well and live healthier. Northwest Health – Porter is owned in part by phyicians. For more information, visit NWHealthIN.com.
