Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Broward Health continues ushering in a new era for heart and vascular care in Broward County with the successful completion of the hospital system’s first two non-thermal pulse field ablation procedures using the newly acquired Medtronic Affera™ Mapping and Ablation System.
Jonathan P. Nieves, M.D., a cardiologist-electrophysiologist with the Broward Health Physician Group, performed the first procedure at Broward Health North. Jose L. Baez-Escudero, M.D., FHRS, FACC, systemwide chief of cardiology for the Broward Health Physician Group and chief of cardiac electrophysiology, was with Dr. Nieves for this first case at the Deerfield Beach hospital before performing the same procedure at Broward Health Medical Center.
Pulse field ablation differs from traditional thermal ablation procedures by using non-thermal energy to target abnormal heart tissue. The advanced approach offers enhanced safety parameters and shorter procedure times that may result in improved patient outcomes.
The outpatient procedure is used to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm disorder that significantly increases the risk of stroke. The procedure is performed through a small IV insertion in the groin, typically takes about 45 minutes and allows most patients to return home approximately four hours later. The procedure can be performed on a newly diagnosed patient or one with a long-term diagnosis.
“Many patients mistakenly believe pulse field ablation is open-heart surgery or a major procedure,” said Dr. Nieves. “In reality, it’s minimally invasive, performed in a single day and can help patients avoid taking medications for the rest of their lives.”
The addition of the Medtronic technology reinforces Broward Health’s continued commitment to advancing cardiovascular care through innovation, clinical excellence and cutting-edge electrophysiology technology. The Affera system combines heart mapping and ablation into a single catheter, eliminating the need for physicians to exchange catheters during the procedure.
“Historically, we used one catheter to create an anatomical picture of the heart and then exchanged it for another catheter to perform the ablation,” said Dr. Nieves. “With this all-in-one catheter, there are fewer exchanges, which may reduce risk of complications and improve safety for patients.”
“Our exceptional physicians, nurses, technologists and support teams made this achievement possible,” said Dr. Baez-Escudero. “This new treatment protocol continues Broward Health’s evolution in electrophysiology, as we emerge as a market leader for complex cardiac cases.”
Broward Health, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ranks among the 10 largest public healthcare systems in the United States. Nationally recognized for its focus on high-quality care for the residents of Broward County and beyond, Broward Health boasts four hospitals, two trauma centers, was the county’s first statutory teaching hospital and has an ever-growing graduate medical education program. It includes more than 50 health centers and physician practices covering virtually every healthcare specialty.
Broward Health never stops working toward its mission of Exceptional Care, Extraordinary Compassion and Everyday Excellence. Driven by more than 11,000 talented employees and physicians who deliver care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, Broward Health is one of the largest employers in Broward County with an operating budget of over $2 billion and annually provides over $523 million in charity and uncompensated care. For more information about Broward Health, visit BrowardHealth.org.
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