Innovative New Treatment for Life-Threatening Arrhythmias
February 11, 2025
RALEIGH, N.C. (February 9, 2025) – Ventricular tachycardia (VT) is a life-threatening arrhythmia that
impacts thousands of people each year. VT ablation, performed by cardiac electrophysiologists, can target abnormal scarring within the heart where these abnormal circuits live. Often, these procedures can be performed with radiofrequency ablation from the inside (endocardial surface) of the heart. However, in more complex cases, ablation on the outside of the heart (epicardial ablation) is required. This procedure requires careful planning and carries a higher risk of complications.
Dr. Neel Patel, WakeMed Heart & Vascular - Complex Arrhythmia, recently performed a combined endocardial/epicardial VT ablation on a patient with refractory VT using an innovative technique. Dr. Patel used carbon dioxide to create separation between the outer surface of the heart and the pericardium (a sac-like structure surrounding the heart) to support safer entry into the epicardial space to perform the ablation. This specialized procedure is only performed at select centers around the world and requires the highest level of expertise, training and judgment.
WakeMed is one of the first health systems in the region to offer this procedure, called Epicardial VT ablation with CO2 insufflation. This represents an advancement in the field of cardiac electrophysiology and VT ablation and is an invaluable asset to our patients who are suffering from this life-threatening arrhythmia.
Congratulations to Dr. Patel, the WakeMed Invasive Cardiology EP lab team and the entire WakeMed Heart & Vascular Complex Arrhythmia team on this achievement in outstanding patient care!
About WakeMed Health & Hospitals
Serving the community since 1961, WakeMed is a not-for-profit health care system founded and based in Raleigh, N.C. WakeMed exists to improve the health and well-being of our community by providing outstanding and compassionate care to all. WakeMed’s 1,003-bed system comprises a network of facilities throughout the Triangle area, including three full-service hospitals, eight emergency departments, a dedicated Children’s Hospital and Rehabilitation Hospital, two exceptional Trauma Centers—a Level I Trauma Center in Raleigh and a Level III Trauma Center in Cary, and more than 165 physician and physical therapy practice offices. WakeMed’s mission-driven team includes nearly 12,000 employees, 1,200 volunteers and 1,300 affiliated physicians, along with the more than 800 physicians and advanced practice providers with WakeMed Physician Practices—all representing the best minds and the biggest hearts and the finest quality in health care and community health. For more information, visit www.wakemed.org or follow WakeMed on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
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