Silver Cross Chosen for Groundbreaking New Cardiac Ablation Technology

After medications didn’t work to resolve her sudden onset of atrial fibrillation (AFib), Mary Brenczewski underwent a cardiac catheter ablation, which attempts to control the fluttering by burning the affected area of the heart’s upper chambers with short bursts of radio frequencies.

Cardiac catheter ablations are performed by physicians on patients who suffer from atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, SVT (supraventricular tachycardia) and atrial flutter.

“I was being treated by Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Joseph Stella, who then referred me to Dr. Michael Porter,” said Brenczewski, Administrative Director of the Department of Nursing Education and Professional Development at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.

“The way it was explained to me, is that Dr. Stella focuses on the mechanical function of the heart, and Dr. Porter focuses on the heart’s electrical system.”

She had the first procedure in July 2022, and after some relief from the symptoms, they came back about six months later. Brenczewski said Dr. Porter told her right off they may need to perform another procedure.

So, she had a second one nearly a year to the day later at Silver Cross, but this time, with something new.

QDOT MICRO™ Catheter Technology

In mid-June, Silver Cross became one of only 25 hospitals, and the only private hospital in the United States, to use a new technology offering improved results and shorter recovery times for cardiac ablations. 

“I’ve heard AFib described as feeling like you have a butterfly in your chest,” said Dr. Porter, who specializes in electrophysiology (EP) and has performed many ablations throughout his career. 

But using the QDOT MICRO™ Catheter for the first time on June 15 was, he said, “like driving a BMW instead of a pickup truck. Everything during the procedure was so much smoother.”

Features and Benefits

The new catheter allows the delivery of a very high power, short duration ablation – 90 watts for up to four seconds, significantly improving ablation efficiency. QDOT MICRO^TM has been found to have a 60-minute total procedure time. This means less time the patient is under general anesthesia.

With the QDOT MICRO™ Catheter, Dr. Porter has been able to use about 50 percent less Radiofrequency (RF) energy, which translates not only into a shorter ablation time for the patient but lowers the risk for complications related to the radiofrequency energy.

“Biosense Webster is dedicated to advancing better patient care in AFib treatment so that patients like those at Silver Cross Hospital and beyond can live the lives they want,” said Jasmina Brooks, President, Biosense Webster.

“QDOT MICRO™ is the latest example of how our focal RF ablation technology is continuing to make a difference.”

Dr. Porter, who is in practice with Heart Care Centers of Illinois, said he talked to the first patient – a photographer in his 60s – a few days after the procedure. 

“He said he felt better the next day. We had been telling patients they may still have soreness for a week or so.”

Brenczewski said her procedure was a little longer than usual with the new technology, only because the newly affected area was on the atria wall instead of around the pulmonary vein.

“But I was still home that same day, after a couple hours in recovery,” she said. “I was tired, but I felt great. No pain. And now, back to my normal activities.”

Dr. Porter credits Silver Cross administration for completing the paperwork needed to obtain the new catheter in record time. “The new catheter has been a blessing,” he said.

Brenczewski agrees.

“When I first came into nursing, they did ablations through more invasive surgery. And Dr. Porter and his team were amazing, before and after the procedure, answering questions and then calling to see how I was doing.

“I felt like I was an essential part of the team, and as Silver Cross’ motto says, treated the way I should be treated.”

Visit the Midwest Institute for Heart at Silver Cross Hospital to learn more about heart care services and keeping your heart healthy.