CHRISTUS launches revolutionary treatment for atrial fibrillation in Longview

CHRISTUS Heart and Vascular Institute – Longview has become the first Longview-area facility to use the FARAPULSE pulsed field ablation (PFA) technology to treat heart patients with atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a serious condition that affects the rhythm of the heart, causing it to beat irregularly and increasing the risk of heart failure and stroke. It’s estimated that by 2030, more than 12 million Americans will have AFib.

Dr. Hasan Ashraf, an electrophysiologist with CHRISTUS Good Shepherd, treated the first patient with the new system on Tuesday, July 9.

“CHRISTUS Good Shepherd is now at the cutting edge of electrophysiology advancement and technology,” Ashraf said. “PFA decreases the risk of ablation procedures while maintaining high levels of short-term and long-term efficacy in treating atrial fibrillation.”

Ablation is a common procedure to treat atrial fibrillation and uses a tiny catheter (a tube the size of the tip of a pen) guided from the upper leg into the heart to address the area causing the abnormal heartbeat. Traditionally, extreme heating or cooling is employed to achieve the desired effect of blocking abnormal heartbeats.

Research has shown that these thermal methods may carry risk to surrounding structures such as the esophagus and phrenic nerve.

“Pulsed field ablation allows for more efficient and safer treatment for atrial fibrillation,” said Dr. Charles Machell, electrophysiologist at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd. “Procedure times are reduced, making for a more comfortable patient experience, while reducing damage done to the surrounding tissue.”

Through a process called electroporation, pulsed field ablation creates a therapeutic electric field by a purpose-built catheter inside the heart. Tissue targeted for ablation is rendered electrically inactive while damage to collateral tissues is minimized.

The FARAPULSE PFA technology was granted FDA approval on January 31.

“Atrial fibrillation is our most common heart rhythm abnormality,” said Dr. Chris McClish, Chief of Cardiology at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd. “With PFA, CHRISTUS Good Shepherd is bringing the latest advanced technology to Longview to pair with our highly skilled, expert electrophysiologists to deliver world class Afib care in your hometown.”