Dr. Khalid Abozgeer and the electrophysiology team at St. Mary’s Medical Center.
Cardiologists at Marshall Health and St. Mary’s Regional Heart Institute are the first in West Virginia to use new technology and mapping catheters to treat patients with complex cardiac arrhythmias.
Electrophysiologist Khalid Abozgia, Professor of Cardiovascular Services at the University of Marshall Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, and his team use new technology to achieve better visualization and access to the heart, We have succeeded in improving the success rate of cardiac ablation procedures.
The first case using this technology was performed at the St. Mary’s Regional Heart Institute in April and showed excellent patient results.
“During surgery, a small device called Watchman will be implanted in a structure in the heart called the left atrial appendage,” Dr. Abozgiah said. “And we have evidence to suggest that the device’s effective sealing of the appendages reduces the risk of blood clots and possible stroke without long-term blood thinners. discovered.”
Cardiac ablation is a procedure in which the heart tissue is damaged to block irregular electrical signals and correct heart rhythm problems.
“Cardiac nerve ablation is a breakthrough procedure especially for young patients who have experienced a fainting episode, commonly known in the medical field as syncope, and is primarily associated with excessive activation of one of the nerves, called the vagus nerve. There is a trend,” Dr. Abozgiah said. . “Traditionally, these patients may eventually require a pacemaker to prevent syncope episodes if symptoms do not improve despite lifestyle, adjustments and medication. is still in its infancy for this treatment, but offers an alternative approach in my opinion.”
Appalachian Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting with the support of the Charleston Area Medical Center and Marshall Health.
