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Good Samaritan Hospital Brings Advanced Arrhythmia Technology to Greater Cincinnati
September 5, 2007
On August 15, 2007, John Wilson MD, a cardiologist at Good Samaritan Hospital, performed the region’s first cardiac ablation using Stereotaxis. While his first Stereotaxis procedure treated a patient with an atrial flutter, Dr. Wilson has since extended his use of the cutting-edge technology to perform both routine and atrial fibrillation ablations, as well as biventricular pacing.
Learn more about Arrhythmia Care at Good Samaritan Hospital
Stereotaxis is a magnetic navigation system that allows a physician to perform certain complex and routine cardiology procedures remotely using image-guided, computerized equipment. Good Samaritan is the first and only hospital in Greater Cincinnati to offer Stereotaxis, and there are only about 40 systems currently in use in the United States (100+ worldwide). What makes the new magnetic navigation system so innovative is that it is part of an integrated network of computers working together to achieve a safer, more efficient, more effective surgical option for cardiology patients. In addition to the Stereotaxis equipment, the doctor utilizes three other systems, each of which displays crucial information to assist in a procedure. The other systems include: an X-ray machine, a mapping system and a computer showing EKG readings.
Ablation is a key procedure performed with Stereotaxis. The procedure involves using a catheter to create a line of scar tissue within the heart that will act as a road block to short-circuit an arrhythmia. Traditional ablation methods utilized a harder catheter that is three feet long. The only available access to manipulate the catheter was through the groin. Creating a seamless, straight line of scar tissue was not an easy task. Ablation using Stereotaxis involves a softer catheter that can be moved to exact locations remotely through the use of magnets. The softer catheter is also safer for the patient because, unlike the traditional catheters, it will not penetrate the wall of the heart.
“This is a quantum step forward for cardiology patients,” said Dr. Wilson. “Think about how precise a measurement of one-to-two degrees is. Stereotaxis allows me to manipulate a catheter with that kind of exact precision, which increases the likelihood of the ablation being successful and also results in a shorter procedure.”
Additional benefits to the patient include: reduced exposure to X-ray radiation, a reduction in the amount of contrast dyes that are injected to a patient’s blood vessels during procedures and a reduced risk of serious complications from perforation of blood vessels or heart tissue.
“In the past, Good Samaritan has been recognized by US News & World Report as a Top 50 hospital for cardiology and heart surgery,” said David Dornheggen, vice president and chief operating officer of Good Samaritan Hospital. “This latest investment in cardiology technology shows that we intend to remain a top heart hospital into the future.”
Learn more about arrhythmia care at Good Samaritan Hospital >
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