March 31, 2023 – Hernando County, FL – One of the latest procedures to treat patients with atrial fibrillation is now being performed in Hernando County by HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital physicians. The new procedure allows doctors to treat patients who previously were not candidates, cannot take a blood thinner and are at a higher risk for stroke.
Alfred Evans was, one of the first to patients to receive the new treatment option for patients with atrial fibrillation in Hernando County, poses with interventional cardiologist Georges Joseph, MD.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, atrial fibrillation, or A-Fib, is one of the most common heart conditions. It occurs when the upper chambers of the heart beat out of sync with the lower chambers, and blood doesn’t flow regularly, which increases the risk of having a stroke. A-Fib is usually treated by medicine, blood thinners or surgery.
During the procedure, a device is implanted into the left atrial appendage of the heart, which seals it. This minimizes the chance for blood clots to form there and move into the bloodstream. Physicians use a minimally invasive, highly precise approach and a catheter to guide the technology. One of the first patients to receive the procedure in Hernando County was 89-year-old Alfred Evans, who recovered well and was discharged successfully from the hospital by Georges Joseph, M.D., board certified interventional cardiologist.
“Dr. Joseph explained that the greatest number of strokes come from this one area of the heart, and by putting this equipment in that’s about the size of a quarter, I won’t have to take blood thinner medication,” Evans said. “We talked about it, I looked it up on the computer and decided it was best for me.”
Evans went on to explain, “I’ve been in many hospitals, including this one, and I’ve never been treated so good in my life. I’ve had great nurses, I feel great and I’m going home quickly. And I feel so good. My goal was to get off the expensive medication. I’ll be 89 in July, married 66 years and I’m ready to make it to 100 years old!”
Dr. Joseph is an interventional cardiologist on staff at HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital. “I’m very proud that our hospital invested in the equipment and education needed to bring this procedure to our community,” Dr. Joseph said. “They continue to expand our heart services which helps keep patients close to their home, their doctors and their family, which is critical for healing.”
“Expanding heart services for our community and being the only hospital in the county to offer this procedure fills me with pride, “said CEO Ken Wicker. “Our caregivers live in this community and their own families come here, so they want our patients to have access to high-quality procedures and compassionate care.”
