RICHLAND Wash. – According to Kadlec Regional Medical Center it is the first hospital in the area to offer a new treatment for cardiac patients. Chief Cardiac Electrophysiologist Dr. Munish Kumar Kannabhiran said this procedure is a significant advancement for cardiovascular medicine.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 12 million Americans will have Atrial Fibrillation (AFIB) by 2030. AFIB is a type of heart arrhythmia in which the upper and lower chambers of the heart are not in sync, resulting in blood not being pumped properly. Kannabhiran says this could lead to blood clots and cause strokes or heart failure.
He said that, traditionally, he would treat AFIB by using thermal energy, radio frequency, or extreme cold to create scars on the blood vessels that cause it.
Kadlec offers Pulsed Field Ablation, a safer, more precise, minimally invasive surgery, according to Dr. Kannabhiran.
According to Dr. Kannabhiran, the Food and Drug Administration approved the use of PFA at the end of 2023. He said he’s known about the technology and procedure that feeds a catheter through a blood vessel in the groin and up to the heart for several years.
“We use a short high-voltage electrical feed to create some scars without causing damage to nearby structures,” Dr. Kannabhiran said. “It’s more precise and safer than traditional ablation forms.”
He said the use of thermal energy ablation would risk damaging an esophagus. The traditional procedure would take him two to two and a half hours. The PFA procedure takes him an hour to an hour and a half.
After the surgery, Dr. Kannabhiran said patients are taken back to their rooms and have to lie down for three to four hours. Once the doctor checks on you and gives you the all-clear, you go home the same day.
If you’re unsure if you have AFIB, Dr. Kannabhiran said signs to look for are shortness of breath, fatigue, and passing out. He said there are a small amount of people living with AFIB and might not even know it.
“People at risk for AFIB include those who have underlying heart conditions like heart failure or a blockage in the heart already,” he said. “Hypertension and Diabetes can also increase the risk factors. Lifestyle habits such as smoking, alcohol, and drug use can also increase the risk factor for having AFIB.”
According to Dr. Kannabhiran, make sure you’re having an annual check-up with your primary care provider to see if you have AFIB, and paying attention to the latest treatments for AFIB management is the best way to find out and monitor it; if you have it.
