Silver Cross Invests in New Cardiac Ablation Technology & Facilities
After medications didn’t work to resolve her sudden onset of atrial fibrillation (AFib), Mary Brenczewski (pictured left) 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.
“I was being treated by Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Joseph Stella, who then referred me to Dr. Michael Porter,” said Mary, Interim Chief Nursing Officer at Silver Cross Hospital and the 2018 Silver Cross Sehring Medal of Excellence recipient.
“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.”
Mary had the first procedure in July 2022, and after some relief from the symptoms, they came back about six months later, she 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 MICROTM 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.
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.”
Mary 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.” She recently celebrated 50 years of service to Silver Cross Hospital.
“Dr. Porter and his team were amazing, before and after the procedure, answering questions and then calling to see how I was doing,” she added. “I felt like I was an essential part of the team, and as Silver Cross’ motto says, treated the way I should be treated.”
New Outpatient Cardiac Catheterization Suite
The Midwest Institute for Heart at Silver Cross Hospital continues to grow to meet the needs of our cardiac patients and the community. In 2024, Silver Cross will upgrade one of the cardiac catheterization suites inside the Hospital and add an outpatient cardiac catherization suite above the Silver Cross Endoscopy Center, just east of the main hospital building at 678 Cedar Crossings Drive. Patients requiring routine angiograms and other common interventional cardiology procedures will receive the same exceptional care in the new outpatient suite. Opening in spring 2024, the $8 million facility will feature the most advanced cardiac catherization technology, six admission and recovery bays with privacy walls to make the experience more comfortable, family lounge, and ample-on-site parking.
Make a donation today to support Heart Care services or contact the Silver Cross Foundation at (815) 300-7105 for planned giving and commemorative naming opportunities.
