First non-thermal ablation procedure in Charlotte County performed at Fawcett Hospital

HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital has completed its first non-thermal ablation, using a new method for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The new approach can minimize risks associated with traditional thermal ablation, potentially expanding access to AF ablation treatment to more patients.

“We are proud to have performed this innovative procedure, marking a significant advancement in our cardiac care capabilities,” said Michael Ehrat, Chief Executive Officer, HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital. “This new approach highlights our commitment to advancing our cardiovascular program and providing safe, effective and state-of-the-art treatments to our community."

During a traditional ablation procedure, a catheter is guided to the interior of the heart and generates extreme temperatures – hot or cold – to destroy targeted areas in the heart associated with abnormal heart rhythms. The non-thermal ablation option however, relies on tissue selective, non-thermal electric fields to ablate heart tissue and avoid damage to surrounding structures, reducing surgery time by up to an hour. This reduction is crucial as it minimizes patient exposure to anesthesia, lowers the risk of complications and expedites recovery.

“We are proud to have performed the first cardiac ablation procedure in Charlotte County using a non-thermal device for the treatment of atrial fibrillation,” said Satish Velagapudi, MD, a clinical electrophysiologist who performed the procedure. “Atrial fibrillation has become more prevalent in patients in recent years and effective, safe, and efficient therapies allow us to treat more patients and reduce complications.”

Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs when the top two chambers of the heart, the atria, beat too fast and with an irregular rhythm (fibrillation). AF, the most common type of arrhythmia, can decrease the heart’s pumping efficiency, which can cause blood cells to pool and stick together, forming clots in the heart, and lead to stroke. People with AF have a higher risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications than those with normal heart rhythms. AF affects nearly two percent of the general population worldwide, and approximately seven million Americans live with this arrhythmia. An estimated 38 million people globally have AF.

Photo: HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital team and Dr. Satish Velagapudi performed the first non-thermal ablation procedure in Charlotte County.