New system designed to provide pulsed field ablation therapy to treat patients with atrial fibrillation
February 15, 2024 – HCA Florida Mercy Hospital, a 488-bed facility, and part of HCA Florida Healthcare, the largest healthcare system in Florida, was the site of The first cardiac ablation procedure in the state and among the first in the nation using the FARAPULSE™ Pulsed Field Ablation System. A pulsed field ablation, or PFA, is a minimally-invasive intervention for treating patients suffering from atrial fibrillation, or AFib. Today’s procedure marks the wider availability of PFA with Boston Scientific’s
entry, already FDA approved.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Jose Osorio, the medical director of cardiac electrophysiology at HCA Florida Miami Electrophysiology. Internationally recognized in the field of electrophysiology, Dr. Jose Osorio has participated as a lead researcher in several clinical research trials conducted in the United States examining breakthrough technologies in the treatment of AFib, the most common type of heart rhythm disorder. AFib causes a variety of symptoms including fast or chaotic heartbeat, fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain and increases a person’s risk of stroke. Ablation is one of several procedural and medical interventions used to control AFib symptoms and reduce stroke risk.
In treating AFib, pulsed field ablation utilizes a controlled electric field to selectively ablate cardiac tissue that is causing irregular heartbeats. This new treatment method has been shown to minimize the risk of damage to surrounding tissues. This is because pulsed field ablation disables cardiac cells using electricity rather than extreme temperatures used in the traditional approaches. Further, the technology allows ablation procedures to be performed in less time.
“The incidence of atrial fibrillation is on the rise, and such safe, effective and efficient therapies allow physicians to treat more patients, reduce complications, and benefit overall public health,” says Dr. Osorio, medical director of cardiac electrophysiology at HCA Florida Miami Electrophysiology.
About HCA Florida Mercy Hospital
HCA Florida Mercy Hospital, a comprehensive medical facility serving the healthcare needs of South Florida for more than 70 years, is a part of HCA Florida Healthcare. The 488-bed, acute care hospital is an award-winning facility that specializes in emergency services that are kid and senior friendly, maternity with level III NICU, general and robotic surgery, hyperbaric and wound care center, cardiology, cancer care, orthopedic and spine, primary stroke center, weight loss programs and more. Mercy is Miami-Dade’s only catholic hospital and provides patients with the best quality care in a compassionate and caring environment. Mercy Hospital is located in the heart of Coconut Grove, FL with a bay front property that makes Mercy the only hospital in Miami to be accessible by land, air and sea.
About HCA Florida Healthcare
HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 650 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices, freestanding emergency rooms and urgent care centers. United as a statewide network in 2022, HCA Florida Healthcare includes approximately 11,000 experienced doctors and more than 79,000 colleagues working together to deliver equitable, evidence-based collaborative care to more than 8.6 million patients each year. HCA Florida Healthcare is committed to improving more lives in more ways and giving back to the communities it serves. The network provides more than $848.8 million in uncompensated care and contributes $2.1 million to community organizations across the state. In addition, HCA Florida Healthcare offers patients access to highly-trained specialists, including the state’s largest cardiovascular network. A strong advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals, HCA Florida Healthcare is also a major supporter of university-based healthcare programs and residencies and fellowships throughout the Sunshine State. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com
