Two firsts in the cardiac cath lab

Skagit Valley Hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab was the scene of two “firsts” this spring, under the direction of Electrophysiologist Sanjeev Wasson, MD, FACC.

In February, installation of a new mapping system called “Velocity” was complete, the first of its kind in Western Washington.

The mapping system was followed in May with a first for the state of Washington as Dr. Wasson implanted a new model pacemaker that nearly doubles the battery life of the device in a patient from Stanwood.

Both events put Skagit Valley Hospital’s cardiovascular program at the leading edge of technology and patient care, Dr. Wasson said.

“Skagit Valley Hospital continues to be the regional leader in both interventional cardiology and comprehensive rhythm management,” Dr. Wasson said. “As an adjunct to the growth of the highest quality cardiac care program, this advanced technology allows rapid acquisition of accurate data necessary for the safest performance of surgical ablation procedures.”
 
Dr. Wasson trained at the renowned Cleveland Clinic and has world-class expertise in the treatment of a wide spectrum of rhythm disorders, including atrial fibrillation. More than 100 atrial fibrillation cases have been safely completed under his care. This advanced technology is a latest addition to the Center of Excellence for Atrial Fibrillation Ablation program at Skagit Valley Hospital.

“Skagit Valley Hospital will remain in this leadership position of physician guidance and administration's understanding of the importance of staying ‘state of the art’ with not only our technological advances, but our core values which support patient safety at the highest level,” Dr. Wasson said.

The “Velocity” mapping system by St. Jude Medical allows the physician to see the catheters inside the heart – real time – and reduces the use of fluoroscopy and radiation exposure to the patient.

Using a system of external patches on the body, the electrical currents from the patches “talk to each other” and allows computerized mapping of the exact location of the catheter as Dr. Wasson employs ablation to treat the heart. The technology is used in any electrophysiology case to assist in treating all irregular heartbeats or arrhythmias and reduces the treatment time from more than four hours to approximately two hours.

“The picture quality is much better,” Dr. Wasson said. “It’s good for patient comfort, safety and patient care.”

Implantation of pacemakers has long been a way to normalize a patient’s slow heart beat, but had the downside of requiring replacement every five to eight years. About 250 pacemakers are implanted annually at Skagit Valley Hospital.

A new pacemaker, Evia ® by Biotronik, features a battery life of eight to 14 years in a smaller sized package, reducing the number of surgeries a patient will have over time and maximizing the ability to monitor, store data and provide physicians with early alerts.

Dr. Wasson implanted the first device in Washington – one of the first dozen in the country – for Stanwood patient Thomas Bownes.

"I am pleased to offer my patient a pacemaker which could last twice as long as others on the market. This device will last 8-14 years depending on how much he uses it,” Dr. Wasson said. “This should reduce the total number of surgeries he will need to have in the future for device replacements.”

The new pacemaker also allows for remote monitoring of the device and patient via cell phone. Patients can literally phone in data regarding the performance of the pacemaker and the status of the patient using a cell phone anywhere in the world, allowing Dr. Wasson to monitor how the patient is doing.

“This device has an advanced algorithm to increase my patient's normal heart rate with exercise while alerting me and my staff to the presence of abnormal rhythms via cell phone and Internet technologies to help me better care for them,” Dr. Wasson said.