New technology at Memorial Medical Center helps treat cardiac arrhythmias
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Catherine Larsen, (209) 525-3106.
MODESTO – May 11, 2010 – Memorial Medical Center is now utilizing state-of-the-art technology that enables physicians to more efficiently visualize and guide treatment for abnormal heart rhythms, or cardiac arrhythmias.
The EnSite Velocity™ Cardiac Mapping System puts more control in the hands of physicians by collecting and displaying real-time anatomical and electrical information more efficiently.
“Memorial’s investment in this cutting-edge technology is another example of our commitment to leading the way in diagnosing and treating abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation and ischemic ventricular tachycardia,” said Mary Velasquez, manager of Memorial’s cardiac catheterization laboratory. “The enhanced mapping capabilities of the EnSite Velocity System enable our physicians to better plan and execute complicated cardiac procedures in a timely and efficient manner.”
The new technology creates a three-dimensional model of the patient’s heart, allowing the physician to visualize a patient’s unique anatomy with great detail and enabling the doctor to quickly locate the source of the problem and formulate a treatment strategy. It introduces innovative tools that the physician can use to streamline the diagnostic and treatment process, potentially reducing treatment time. The system can simultaneously collect 3D model data and electrical mapping points from multiple catheter electrodes, simplifying data collection. The system also provides side-by-side views of the live procedure and previously recorded portions of the procedure, giving the physician a quick and easy comparison of events and results at different times throughout the procedure without losing the ability to visualize and navigate catheters.
“By placing the relevant information conveniently on one screen in a streamlined format, the EnSite Velocity allows me to focus my attention where it needs to be—on my patient,” said Walter Chien, M.D., electrophysiologist. “This technology also allows me to treat patients with any arrhythmia and navigate the heart with a potential reduction of procedural time.”
“I just saw a patient who is very pleased with the treatment of his ventricular tachycardia and has not experienced any abnormal ventricular heartbeats since the procedure,” Dr. Chien said. “The new mapping system enables us to care for patients in our community who have complex arrhythmias instead of referring them to large university hospitals outside our area.”
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Memorial Medical Center is part of Sutter Health, a family of not-for-profit hospitals, physician organizations and other medical services that share resources and expertise to advance health care quality and access. Serving more than 100 communities in Northern California, Sutter Health is a regional leader in cardiac care, cancer treatment, orthopedics, obstetrics, and newborn intensive care, and is a pioneer in advanced patient safety technology.