CHRISTUS Health among first in the nation for atrial fibrillation procedure in Tyler

The CHRISTUS Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital has successfully completed one of the nation’s first procedures using the newest technology to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib).

According to Boston Scientific, the CHRISTUS heart hospital is one of the first three facilities in the country, joining hospitals in New York and Austin, to successfully use the “FARAWAVE Nav” ablation catheter, a dual-purpose device that combines the roles of two catheters into one.

Dr. Stanislav Weiner, a CHRISTUS electrophysiologist, performed the procedure on Oct. 29.

“We are always looking for technology that is safer and more efficient,” Weiner said. “This combined-use catheter does just that, allowing for a real minimization of risk to the patient.”

Ablation procedures are used to treat patients with AFib, a condition that occurs when the heart beats too fast and with an irregular rhythm.

Traditional ablation procedures include a catheter that is used to map the affected area of the heart before the use of a second catheter performs the ablation.

Weiner said the ability of FARAWAVE Nav to combine the two catheter roles into one will allow for faster procedures, greater efficiency and quicker patient recovery time.

“Atrial fibrillation affects more than 12 million people a year and can lead to some very dangerous health conditions,” Weiner said. “Because of that, it is crucial to treat the condition as quicky, safely and effectively as possible.”

The FARAWAVE Nav catheter system works with the pulsed field ablation technology the heart hospital launched in February.

Pulsed field ablation is the newest technology for treating AFib, using an electrical field to destroy abnormal tissue, a much safer method than traditional ablation methods, which used extreme heat or cold.

The CHRISTUS Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital acquired the pulse field ablation technology thanks to a generous gift from the Tyler-based Hall Family Foundation.

To date, the heart hospital has treated more than 600 patients with the pulsed field ablation technology.

“This technology, both pulsed field ablation and now the FARAWAVE Nav, are rapidly becoming the preferred method to treating atrial fibrillation because of its safety and efficiency,” Weiner said. “We are excited to be on the forefront of this innovation.”