St. Joseph's Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute, nestled in Tampa, is pioneering an innovative cryoablation procedure aimed at advancing the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AFib) in Central Florida.
As a vital component of the BayCare Health System, St. Joseph's Hospital actively engaged in the research trials associated with the equipment deployed for this procedure. With the FDA's green light for a specialized cardiac cryoablation catheter tailored for AFib treatment in September, St. Joseph's has emerged as Central Florida's inaugural hospital and the state's third to conduct this ablation procedure.
Interventional Cardiologist Kevin Makati, MD, who spearheaded the clinical trials of the equipment at St. Joseph's Hospital commencing in 2020, administered the first procedure shortly after FDA approval.
AFib: The Cardiac Anomaly
AFib is a cardiac anomaly characterized by irregular heart chamber rhythms, which, if unchecked, can culminate in complications like blood clots, strokes, or heart failures. This innovative cryoablation technology endows physicians with an expanded arsenal for addressing pulmonary vein anatomies and managing select AFib cases.
Cryoablation is a minimally invasive modality for AFib treatment. In this procedure, a balloon catheter delivers cryotherapy to the opening of the pulmonary vein. Cryotherapy initiates the freezing of target tissue, forming minute scars that obstruct the irregular electrical signals responsible for arrhythmia. Consequently, the patient's prospects of leading an AFib-free life are significantly enhanced.
Trailblazing Healthcare Solutions
Phil Minden, President of St. Joseph's Hospital, took pride in the institution's commitment to trailblazing healthcare solutions, affirming, "This is yet another example of how the St. Joseph's Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute leads from the front. We are so proud to be a center where our clinicians and team have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge technology that will help provide advanced, exceptional care to our patients."
The recently introduced technology, christened the POLARx™ Cryoablation System, is meticulously designed for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. It specializes in addressing the intermittent variant of AFib, characterized by erratic and often abnormally rapid heart rates. The system boasts a cryoablation balloon catheter, distinguished by its unique capacity to accommodate two balloon sizes—28 mm (approximately 1.1 inches) and 31 mm (approximately 1.22 inches)—within a single catheter. This versatility translates into heightened procedural efficiency, empowering physicians to navigate a broader spectrum of pulmonary vein anatomies and administer more comprehensive treatment to the heart regions responsible for AFib.
St. Joseph's Hospital Heart And Vascular Institute
St. Joseph's Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute, distinguished as one of the nation's premier cardiovascular hospitals by PINC AI™ and Fortune, stands as a foremost clinical authority not only within the Tampa Bay area but also across the nation. BayCare, with its constellation of 16 hospitals, aspires to proliferate this cutting-edge technology to other healthcare facilities in the near future.
About BayCare
BayCare constitutes a prominent not-for-profit healthcare system serving individuals and families through an extensive network of 16 hospitals and a myriad of other conveniently situated facilities across the Tampa Bay and central Florida regions. It ranks as West Central Florida's primary provider of behavioral health and pediatric services, boasting BayCare Medical Group as one of the region's largest provider groups. The expansive ambulatory services network includes laboratories, imaging centers, surgical facilities, BayCare Urgent Care locations, wellness centers, and one of Florida's most extensive home care agencies—BayCare HomeCare. Consistently placed in the top 20% by Fortune/Merative, BayCare has made it its mission to enhance the health and well-being of its community by delivering community-owned, high-quality, and compassionate healthcare services.
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