Sequoia Hospital completes 1000 atrial fibrillation ablation procedures

Sep 9 2009

Only Hospital in Northern and Central California to Reach 1,000 A-Fib Ablations

Sequoia Hospital announced that the Cardiac Arrhythmia Program has completed 1,000 atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) ablation procedures, making it the highest total volume A-Fib ablation institution currently performing ablations in Northern and Central California. Numerous medical journals and world-wide ablation center surveys have documented that this type of high volume and physician experience is associated with superior efficacy and safety of the A-Fib ablation procedure. Sequoia's success with paroxysmal A-Fib ablation is over 90% and even in patients with longstanding persistent A-Fib where episodes last more than one year, more than 80% can have normal rhythm restored. Sequoia Hospital electrophysiologists who perform ablations include Gregory Engel, M.D.; R. Hardwin Mead, M.D.; Rob Patrawala, M.D. and Roger Winkle, M.D.

"Our patients no longer suffer from atrial fibrillation and in the overwhelming majority of cases they don't have to take medications," said Rob Patrawala, M.D. "Our outcomes and experience have made us a major referral center for this procedure. Physicians from other institutions often refer their most complex cases to Sequoia. Patients who have failed a first procedure and are in need of a second ablation often choose Sequoia because of our excellent outcomes and published results."

"Sequoia is proud to be the only hospital performing ablations in Northern and Central California to achieve 1,000 A-Fib ablations," said Glenna Vaskelis, president and CEO of Sequoia Hospital. "And as a leader in this field, our physicians will continue to develop the next generation of devices and technology, further perfecting and refining this procedure."

"Patients who are not good candidates for an ablation procedure also have hope," said Gregory Engel, M.D. "In addition to ablation, we are continually evaluating new technologies and medications to improve the quality of life of all of our patients."

Cardiac Electrophysiology at Sequoia Hospital

There is another reason that September marks an important month for Sequoia Hospital. Sequoia celebrates the 25th anniversary of its cardiac electrophysiology program. Originally pioneered by Roger Winkle, M.D., and R. Hardwin Mead, M.D., and enhanced over the years by the addition of a team of Cardiac Electrophysiology physicians, it has grown into a highly regarded center. Over the last quarter century thousands of patients with heart electrical problems have had their quality of life dramatically improved from the treatments administered by this center.