Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System experiences first in new heart rhythm treatment
By Roswell Sartwell, Public Affairs Specialist
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System entered into new territory in performing a revolutionary procedure using new heart treatment technology designed to treat abnormal heart rhythms more safely and efficiently.
The procedure was performed in the medical center’s cardiac catheterization laboratory by Dr. Sergio Pinski to treat two conditions that can cause irregular heartbeats. The new technology uses short electrical pulses to target problem areas in the heart while reducing the risk of damage to nearby tissue.
Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are common heart rhythm disorders that can increase the risk of stroke and other complications if left untreated. Traditional techniques use thermal energy to target problematic tissue, while this new pulsed field ablation technique uses electrical fields to selectively treat cardiac cells, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding structures.
“This is a meaningful step forward in how we care for Veterans with complex heart rhythm conditions,” said Dr. Valerian Fernandes, Chief of cardiology at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Care Center. “It reflects the level of commitment across our teams to bring leading-edge technology into the VA system.”
The introduction of the Affera system is expected to reduce procedure times while maintaining a high level of precision, allowing clinicians to treat patients more efficiently. Leaders at the Charleston VA said this advancement will expand access to timely care and improve outcomes for Veterans requiring electrophysiology services.
Leadership also credited the rapid deployment of the technology to collaboration across clinical, administrative and operational teams that worked to fast-track approvals and equipment acquisition.
“I am exceedingly proud of this team’s accomplishment. This is what can happen when talented people across multiple departments work together with urgency and purpose for Veterans,” said Scott Isaacks, director and CEO of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System. “Bringing this technology to our VA in record time demonstrates our commitment to ensuring Veterans have access to some of the most advanced cardiac care available anywhere in the country.”
The procedure represents the culmination of coordinated efforts across multiple departments, including cardiology, anesthesia, nursing, and technical services staff, as well as collaboration with industry partners. Hospital leadership noted the equipment acquisition and implementation process was expedited to ensure Veterans could benefit from the technology as quickly as possible.
The electrophysiology team included attending physician Pinski and fellow physician Andy Sims, with support from anesthesia providers Lucas and Szabo, along with cath lab technicians and nursing staff who assisted throughout the procedure.
“This was truly a team effort,” Fernandes said. “From initial approval through rapid implementation, there was a shared focus on delivering the best possible care to our Veterans in a timely manner.”
The Ralph H. Johnson VA HCS continues to serve as a leader within the VA health care system, advancing clinical capabilities and expanding access to innovative treatments. Officials say the successful use of pulsed field ablation demonstrates the facility’s commitment to integrating emerging medical technologies that directly benefit patient care.
As the technology becomes more widely adopted, clinicians anticipate pulsed field ablation will play a growing role in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, offering a faster and potentially safer option for eligible patients.