Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute Performs Nation’s First Case Using New Heart-Mapping Technology to Treat Heart Arrhythmias

This is the first case in the United States in which doctors used the new St. Jude Medical’s EnSite Precision  system, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration last week for commercial use.

Arrhythmias are caused by rogue electrical currents traveling through the heart. EnSite Precision mapping technology allows physicians to map the structure and electrical currents of the heart to more precisely treat the areas of the heart where those rogue currents are occurring to prevent the abnormal heart beat.

“We can’t treat what we aren’t able to see,” said John Day, MD, medical director of the Intermountain Heart Rhythm Specialists at the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute. “The new EnSite heart mapping technology allows better three-dimensional pictures of the arrhythmias in the heart, which improve the accuracy of what we see during the procedure and can more precisely treat the patient.”

During a catheter ablation procedure, physicians use several long tubes with wires, known as catheters, and insert them up into the heart through the femoral veins. Sensors on the end of those wires record electrical information and create a three-dimensional, anatomical model which is then studied to identify the paths of electrical currents in the heart.

Once the 3-D image is created and studied, physicians place an additional catheter in the heart, which is heated by high-frequency energy and used to create tiny lesions or scars that prevent the rogue currents from traveling into the heart and causing abnormal rhythms.

How the new technology benefits patients: Patients require less care, are better able to focus on cardiac rehabilitation, and can return sooner to their normal lives. Reducing the likelihood of repeat visits to the cath lab also reduces the cost of care.

“Medical technologies are always changing and improving,” said Dr Day. “At the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute we’re always on the lookout for scientifically proven technologies that will improve and individualize patient care and improve outcomes. Were excited to be part of this inaugural case and look forward to continuing to provide the best patient care possible.”