Cutting-Edge Ablation Procedure at Bryan Heart Helps Patient Overcome Atrial Fibrillation

Lincoln, NE (September 27, 2024) – Pulsed Field Ablation, a cutting-edge procedure at Bryan Heart is helping patients overcome atrial fibrillation (AFib), a heart rhythm disorder that can severely impact quality of life.

AFib is now the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm disorder. Over 12 million people are expected to be diagnosed by the end of the decade. It occurs when the upper chambers of the heart beat very fast and irregularly. This can lead to severe symptoms, including extreme fatigue, heart palpitations, dizziness and shortness of breath. In its more serious form, it can cause a stroke.

Bryan Heart is utilizing a cutting-edge technique to help patients overcome heart rhythm disorders. Pulsed Field Ablation uses a state-of-the-art catheter to send short pulses of electrical energy to the problem spot in the heart. It’s accurate to the millimeter and helps return the rhythm to normal status.

Traditional ablation techniques use hot or cold energy to create tiny scars, which help block faulty signals and restore a normal rhythm. The procedure can last hours and may require an overnight stay in the hospital. Pulsed Field Ablation drastically shortens procedure time and promotes a quicker recovery.

Greg Newport is an architect in Lincoln. He was diagnosed with AFib nearly 15 years ago. Newport’s heart would race so fast that it felt like he was running a marathon. He underwent an ablation procedure at Bryan Heart a decade ago that helped alleviate the symptoms.

Last year, Newport noticed some of those similar feelings returning. Follow-up tests confirmed his heart was back in AFib. He saw Dr. Peter Gallagher, a cardiac electrophysiologist at Bryan Heart. Newport and his wife researched the new Pulsed Field Ablation technique and inquired about its availability.

In May, Bryan Heart received the equipment needed to perform the procedure. Newport was one of the first patients to undergo the Pulsed Field Ablation technique at Bryan Heart. The operation was a success. Since the procedure, his heart has remained in rhythm and hasn’t experienced any relapse in symptoms.

“My first ablation several years ago took around six hours and I was in the hospital for a day and a half,” Greg said. “With this new procedure, it lasted around an hour and I went home the same day. It was so much easier to handle. I felt better, sooner.”

“For patients who undergo this procedure, it can radically change their quality of life,” Dr. Gallagher added. “It’s great to be part of a team at Bryan Heart that takes a leading stance on bringing these progressive treatments to Lincoln and helping our patients live their best lives.”

For more, visit Bryan Heart.