First in nation new a fib treatment option offered by Overland Park Regional Medical Center
Overland Park, Kan. —The cardiology team at Overland Park Regional Medical Center, led by DJ Lakkireddy, MD, board-certified electrophysiologist and executive medical director of Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute at HCA Midwest Health, has performed the first procedure using a new pulsed field ablation (PFA) technology system, a breakthrough treatment option for people diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Dr. Lakkireddy is the first physician in the nation — and within HCA Healthcare — to use this technology. Overland Park Regional Medical Center is part of HCA Midwest Health, Kansas City’s leading healthcare provider.
PFA works by delivering highly targeted electrical pulses to specific areas of the heart to destroy the cells responsible for abnormal heart rhythms. This approach helps reduce the risk of damage to surrounding tissue, particularly for patients with complex disease or anatomy. This latest advancement in AFib treatment utilizes the Volt™ PFA system from Abbott, a leading manufacturer of structural heart solutions.
The technology features an all-in-one catheter design that supports diagnosis, mapping, and ablation, and can be used during procedures performed under either conscious sedation or general anesthesia. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for patients for whom anesthesia may otherwise be a barrier to ablation treatment.
“As the largest AFib treatment provider in the region, being the first in the country to offer this new, innovative procedure reflects our team’s commitment to delivering safe, high-quality care for AFib patients,” said Dr. Lakkireddy. “Atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias can significantly impact quality of life, causing symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, and chest pain. Left untreated, arrhythmias also increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. The growing adoption of pulsed field ablation technology offers new promise for patients, and this system addresses limitations associated with earlier generations of PFA technology.”
Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute, home to the region’s largest and most advanced electrophysiology program, is internationally recognized for world-class arrhythmia care. The institute is known for adopting cutting-edge technologies supported by high-quality research and education. Its physicians have published extensively on left atrial appendage (LAA) therapies and have treated thousands of patients, helping reduce AFib-related stroke risk and bleeding complications associated with blood thinners.
“Our cardiology team is committed to providing our community with access to the most advanced and effective treatment options,” said Overland Park Regional Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Matt Sogard. “We are proud to continually advance care through innovation while improving quality of life for our patients.”