The Heart Rhythm Center of Lebanon Cardiology Associates and The Good Samaritan Hospital recently published articles on specialized ventilation technique during heart rhythm ablations and pacemaker implantation in the extreme elderly to improve patient safety.
LEBANON, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Heart Rhythm Center of Lebanon Cardiology Associates (www.lebanoncardiology.com) and The Good Samaritan Hospital (www.gshleb.org) are proud to announce their studies of high frequency jet ventilation during electrophysiology studies for arrhythmia ablation (abnormal heart rhythm) and pacemaker implantations in the extreme elderly have been published in national peer-reviewed journals.
In the first article titled “Pacemaker Implantation in the Extreme Elderly,” Drs. Robert Stevenson, MD, FACC and Jeffrey L. Williams, MD, MS, FACC, FHRS review extremely elderly patients (age≥80) undergoing pacemaker implantations in the first 2 years of their community hospital Electrophysiology (EP) program. The study appeared in the Journal of Invasive Cardiac Electrophysiology (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21947788). The extreme elderly are the most rapidly growing segment of the U.S. and pacemakers are commonly implanted in this population. However, there are few reports of pacemaker implant complications and outcomes in the extreme elderly and there is a persistent exclusion of elderly patients from ongoing clinical trials. “We are one of few centers in the U.S. to examine outcomes of extremely elderly patients undergoing pacemaker implantation. Our results suggest that pacemaker implantation can be performed safely in the extreme elderly given the right precautions and preoperative evaluation,” states Dr. Stevenson.
Their second article titled “High Frequency Jet Ventilation During Ablation of Supraventricular and Ventricular Arrhythmias: Efficacy, Patient Tolerance and Safety” appeared in the Journal of Innovations in Cardiac Rhythm Management (http://www.innovationsincrm.com/cardiac-rhythm-management/2011/november/157-high-frequency-jet-ventilation). They are one of only three centers in the United States to routinely use high-frequency jet ventilation decrease respiratory motion and improve the outcomes of advanced intracardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) ablation. There was a 97.2% overall ablation success rate (70 of 72 ablations) with no major complications. Their report provides further evidence the routine use of high frequency jet ventilation in the electrophysiology laboratory is safe, well tolerated, and efficacious with ablation success rates similar to traditional sedation/ventilation techniques with a variety of arrhythmias. When asked why this is not routinely provided at other electrophysiology programs Dr. Williams states, “High frequency jet ventilation in the electrophysiology laboratory requires a strong physician commitment to provide the most advanced cardiac care and close collaboration with cardiac anesthesiologists. Not many centers are willing to invest the time and energy necessary to develop this program.”
Dr. Stevenson is Board-Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Cardiology, and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology; he is Co-Director of Electrophysiology at The Good Samaritan Hospital. Dr. Williams is Board-Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology and was recently selected as Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society; he is Director of Electrophysiology at The Good Samaritan Hospital.
Lebanon Cardiology Associates is a comprehensive team of 11 board-certified cardiologists (including Interventional and Electrophysiology specialists) located only 14 miles from Hershey, centrally located between Lancaster and Reading. The Heart Rhythm Center of Lebanon Cardiology Associates is pleased to accept new patients.
CONTACT:
Lebanon Cardiology Associates
Linda Ehrenfeld, 717-274-5500
KEYWORDS: United States North America Pennsylvania
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Seniors Health Cardiology Hospitals Medical Devices Communications Publishing Consumer
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