HVMC becomes first facility in East TN to successfully use FARAPULSE
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – On Wednesday, Holston Valley Medical Center (HVMC) successfully performed a cardiac ablation procedure using the FARAPULSE Pulsed Field Ablation System, becoming the first facility in East Tennessee to do so.
The FARAPULSE provides an innovative solution for treating atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm.
The FARAPULSE targets abnormal heart tissue with non-thermal electric fields while preserving surrounding structures, cutting the procedure time in half and making recovery faster and safer.
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Dr. Muralidhar R. Papireddy, a clinical cardiac physiologist, told News Channel 11 about the risks of non-thermal and thermal methods.
“40,000 cases have been done worldwide, and we do have enough data for safety, but it is still much lower in number and compared to thermal ablation,” said Dr. Papireddy. So we’re still learning. There might be more that we are not aware of our complications, but at this point in time, it seems to be a technology with lower risk for complications compared to the thermal energy source.”
Less than 150 medical facilities in the United States have successfully performed a cardiac ablation procedure using the FARAPULSE, making HVMC fortunate.
“And I will say that HVMC is also the first between Asheville and Nashville to offer this state-of-the-art technology,” said Rebecca Beck, chief executive officer of HVMC and Indian Path Community Hospital. “And we’re pleased to host that here today and share that information with you.”
Mitch Kennedy, Chief Operating Officer, said a full team of medical professionals, including registered nurses and an entire cath lab team, is required to successfully execute this procedure. He referred to the group as a ‘cardiovascular center of excellence.’
Beck agreed with this recognition.
“Our team is really supporting the advancement of these procedures, ensuring that we do have the right access for our patients and our communities,” said Beck. “And I think that goes without saying, as well, that HVMC has been world-renowned for its cardiac care program for decades now.”
Kennedy said HVMC enjoys being at the forefront of advancing technology.
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