MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 21, 2012
LHSC cardiologists first in Canada to use pressure sensing catheter for atrial fibrillation ablation
LONDON, Ontario – LHSC cardiologists Dr. Lorne Gula and Dr. Jaimie Manlucu became the first in Canada to use a pressure sensing catheter to perform a pulmonary vein ablation for atrial fibrillation on August 22.
“There is a sensor in the tip of the catheter that allows us to monitor the pressure we apply to the wall of the heart,” says Dr. Gula. “This feedback sensor helps us make effective permanent ablation lesions intended to eliminate atrial fibrillation.”
During a pulmonary vein ablation the physician eliminates abnormal heart tissue that causes the electrical system of the heart to “short-circuit” causing irregular heart rhythm. The goal of the procedure is to ensure that the abnormal heart tissue is permanently eliminated, but that may not be the case if too little pressure is applied.
“Currently 80 per cent of ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation are successful,” says Dr. Manlucu. “We are hoping this new catheter helps further increase the success rate.”
The cardiologists knew immediately that the veins were electrically isolated after completing the first cases using the new pressure sensing catheter, but monitoring for further atrial fibrillation continues following an ablation and patients must return for check-ups three, six and 12 months after the procedure.
The Electrophysiology Lab at University Hospital is a high volume centre for ablations – performing 550 procedures a year, with almost a half of those for treatment of atrial fibrillation. The Lab’s four cardiologists, Dr. Allan Skanes, Dr. Peter Leong-Sit, Dr. Gula and Dr. Manlucu will continue using the new catheters.
About London Health Sciences Centre
London Health Sciences Centre has been in the forefront of medicine in Canada for 137 years and offers the broadest range of specialized clinical services in Ontario. Building on the traditions of its founding hospitals to provide compassionate care in an academic teaching setting, London Health Sciences Centre is home to Children’s Hospital, South Street Hospital, University Hospital, Victoria Hospital, two family medical centres, and two research institutes – Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, a joint research initiative with St. Joseph’s Health Care London. As a leader in medical discovery and health research, London Health Sciences Centre has a history of over 50 international and national firsts and attracts top clinicians and researchers from around the world. As a regional referral centre, London Health Sciences Centre cares for the most medically complex patients including critically injured adults and children in southwestern Ontario and beyond. The hospital’s nearly 15,000 staff, physicians, students and volunteers provide care for more than one million patient visits a year. For more information visit www.lhsc.on.ca
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For media inquiries contact:
Marek Kubow
Corporate Communications and Public Relations
London Health Sciences Centre
519-685-8500, ext. 75155
