The addition of pulsed field ablation ushers in a new era in atrial fibrillation treatment
With the goal to expand cardiovascular care through clinical excellence and innovative research, Broward Health is leading the way in transforming cardiovascular care in South Florida with a relatively new, innovative procedure to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib) called pulsed field ablation (PFA). This leading technology at Broward Health Medical Center can result in more precise, safer treatment and quicker recovery time for patients with this potentially dangerous heart rhythm disorder.
A recent study by UC San Francisco revealed that nearly 10.5 million Americans — three times the previous estimate — are living with AFib. This rapid and irregular heartbeat disrupts the rhythm of the heart and increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and even sudden death. With the rise of this condition in patients, medical professionals are urgently working to introduce better treatment options.
“We’re seeing an increase in AFib cases, especially as our population ages and other health issues, such as hypertension and diabetes, become more common,” said Jose L. Baez-Escudero, M.D., Broward Health’s first systemwide chief of cardiology. “It is critical that we offer our patients the latest and most effective treatments available, including PFA, to help reduce these risks and safely improve their quality of life.”
PFA successfully uses high-voltage electrical pulses to selectively target the tissue responsible for the irregular heartbeat. PFA delivers short bursts of energy to disrupt the heart’s abnormal electrical signals while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues and may result in fewer complications and a quicker recovery time for patients.
A Vision for the Future of Heart Health
Dr. Baez brings notable experience and a bold vision to Broward Health. His goal is to expand the hospital’s cardiovascular services and build a comprehensive electrophysiology program that provides patients with the latest and most effective treatment options for a wide range of heart conditions, including AFib.
As part of his vision, Dr. Baez is also focusing on enhancing Broward Health’s infrastructure. Upgrades to the cardiac catheterization labs and electrophysiology rooms are already underway.
“We’re committed to making Broward Health the leading destination for heart care in South Florida and beyond,” Dr. Baez said. “This means expanding our team of specialists, growing our capabilities and investing in a robust cardiology fellowship program with new subspecialties to ensure that our patients have access to the best possible care, whether it’s through new technologies like PFA or other advanced arrhythmia treatments.”
Investing in Education and Cardiovascular Care
Dr. Baez is passionate about advancing the next generation of cardiologists. Broward Health’s fellowship programs are set to increase with new subspecialty tracks dedicated interventional cardiology, electrophysiology and heart failure. Dr. Baez looks to increase the volume of doctors, build the arrhythmia program and offer new programs, such as structural heart disease, with focused specialists and cardiogenic shock program for patients with severe heart failure. He wants to expand the electrophysiology service line with electrophysiologists who provide a full array of arrhythmia services at all Broward Health hospitals. He looks to elevate research and work with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education to expand the current general fellowship by offering additional subspecialty cardiology fellowship programs with additional interventional cardiology and eventually electrophysiology training.
“At Broward Health we already have a robust cardiology service line and great cardiac surgeons who provide a broad spectrum of services within cardiac surgery,” Dr. Baez said. “We are taking the additional step to build and organize multi-disciplinary teams for specialty programs, as well as subspecialty service lines within cardiology.”
A Healthier Future for South Florida
With a growing population and one that is aging, there is an increasing need for specialized heart care. Broward Health’s efforts to expand services and introduce the latest technologies are more important than ever.
“Our goal is to improve and expand our cardiovascular care to improve our community’s heart health by offering innovative treatments and high-quality care to help patients live longer, healthier lives,” Dr. Baez says. “The addition of pulsed field ablation as well as left atrial appendage occlusion devices directed at stroke prevention and the expansion of services is huge, as the prevalence of arrhythmias has continued to increase over the last few years. If we grow those programs, then we’ll be able to also feed into the other subspecialties.”
