Ballad: Holston Valley first hospital in East TN to complete cardiac procedures with new tech
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – Holston Valley Medical Center (HVMC) is the first East Tennessee hospital to successfully perform a series of cardiac procedures using an innovative piece of equipment, according to Ballad Health.
A news release from Ballad Heath states HVMC is the fourth medical facility in Tennessee and the first in East Tennessee to use the FARAPULSE™ Pulsed Field Ablation System to perform cardiac ablation procedures.
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The system offers an alternative to treating atrial fibrillation, which Ballad described as an “irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm.”
“Unlike traditional ablation methods, which rely on extreme temperatures to eliminate abnormal heart tissue, the FARAPULSE™ Pulsed Field Ablation System utilizes tissue-selective, non-thermal electric fields to precisely target affected areas while preserving surrounding structures, enhancing patient safety and expediting recovery,” Ballad stated in the release.
“We are proud to offer some of the world’s leading cardiovascular care right here in the Appalachian Highlands, bringing innovative treatments to local heart patients. It’s an enormous benefit to our local communities that Holston Valley is among the first hospitals in the nation to offer FARAPULSE, and with it, a safer, more effective alternative for treating atrial fibrillation.
“The successful completion of this procedure highlights the dedication to advancing cardiovascular medicine and improving patient outcomes that have long been a hallmark of our care. It underscores our commitment to delivering the highest quality of cardiac care to our community, and we are excited about the possibilities this innovation holds for the future of cardiovascular medicine in this region.”
Love Hobson, Vice President of Cardiac Services for Ballad Health
According to Ballad, the first of these procedures are being led by two experienced electrophysiologists: Muralidhar Papireddy, MD, and Shaun Colburn, MD.
Ballad wrote in the release that millions of people across the globe live with atrial fibrillation, which increases their risk of suffering a stroke or heart failure. The release states the FARAPULSE™ is less risky than the thermal ablation method, which can cause cell death due to temperature.
“We are honored to be the first hospital between Nashville and Asheville to successfully utilize the FARAPULSE™ Pulsed Field Ablation System, marking another milestone in our legacy of leading medical advancements and high standards of patient care,” Rebecca Beck, CEO of Holston Valley, stated in the release.
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