Valley Medical Center continues to advance in cardiac care with the successful completion of the first Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) procedure. Cardiac electrophysiologists Lee Dolack, MD, and Sawyer Gillespie, MD, recently performed this breakthrough procedure to treat a patient with atrial fibrillation (AF). This technique represents a significant advancement in the safety and efficiency of AF treatments.
Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) is a new, safer way to treat atrial fibrillation (AF), a common heart condition where the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly. This irregular heartbeat can lead to blood clots, stroke, and other heart-related problems. Ablation is a procedure used to correct this by creating tiny scars in the heart tissue to stop the electrical signals causing AF.
Instead of using extreme heat or cold, like traditional methods, PFA uses short electrical pulses to target the heart cells causing AF. This approach is safer because it avoids damaging nearby tissue in the esophagus and coronary arteries, which can be a risk with traditional methods. Another big advantage of PFA is that it only takes 2-3 hours, compared to 3-5 hours with traditional methods.
Dr. Dolack highlighted the benefits of this new technology: “We are excited by this new ablation technology that is being widely adopted worldwide. One of the major advantages of PFA is safety. It’s associated with a reduced risk of injury, which is especially important for more complicated cases. Also, the shorter procedure times limit the risks associated with prolonged general anesthesia.”
With PFA, Valley remains at the forefront of innovative cardiac treatments in South King County, continuing to provide patients with the highest standard of care and offering hope for those dealing with the challenges of AF.
The Cardiac Arrhythmia Service at Valley’s Cardiology Clinic provides comprehensive care for patients with all types of cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. Our experienced specialists work with patients to determine the cause of their heart rhythm problems and develop a plan of care designed to control symptoms, improve quality of life, and strengthen long-term prognosis. Valley offers a unique combination of experienced providers and a state-of-the-art electrophysiology lab with the convenience of a community hospital.
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