Doctors First to Use New Technology to Correct Heart Beat

Two Florida Hospital Physicians First in Central Florida to Use New Technology to Correct Irregular Heart Beat

Stereotaxis technology uses huge magnets to guide catheter into the heart

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 19, 2010 - A catheter about the circumference and flexibility of a cooked spaghetti strand, along with a set of two-ton magnets, are part of the latest technology to treat irregular heart beats.  Florida Hospital electrophysiologists, Dr. George Monir and Dr. Scott Pollak, corrected a patient's irregular heart beat with this technology for the first time in Central Florida this week.  They accomplished this with a video-game-type joy stick, while sitting in an adjoining room from the patient.  This unique technology is called Stereotaxis.

"There are 2.5 to 3 million Americans who suffer from atrial fibrulation or irregular heart beat," said Dr. George Monir.  "Stereotaxis is going to enhance safety and accuracy to cure this kind of irregular rhythm."

Using Stereotaxis technology, two large magnets guide a catheter through the heart while the physician sits in an adjoining room with a controller in hand and 3-D imaging to direct the catheter where to go.  When the physician locates the areas of the heart causing the irregular rhythm, he uses the catheter to disable those parts that are working incorrectly. 

Arrhythmias, commonly known as an irregular heart beat, can be minor and treated with medication, while others are much more serious and can require techniques that zap portions of the heart that are causing the irregular rhythm. 

For years, electrophysiologists have been correcting hearts that beat too fast or slow with electricity through a catheter.  Doctors maneuvered the catheter in the heart by hand with a long wire, which is not as accurate as Stereotaxis.  Some physicians have described this method as trying to write with a pencil by holding onto the eraser.  They compare the new Stereotaxis technology to writing while holding a pencil correctly.

"One of the risks when we move the catheter by hand is we could puncture or put a hole in the heart," said Dr. Scott Pollak.  "With Stereotaxis, there have been no instances of holes or punctures because the catheter is very flexible."

Stereotaxis also shortens the length of the procedure and decreases the amount of radiation the patient, doctor and staff is exposed to.  The first patient who benefited from the Stereotaxis technology says he would recommend it to others.

"I was excited, not in any way did I have apprehension of being the first patient at Florida Hospital to take advantage of this technology," said Bill Martin.  "I knew I was in good hands."

For media inquiries only, contact Florida Hospital Media Relations at 407-303-8217.

 www.floridahospitalnews.com

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