Durham VA Cath Lab Helps Veterans Get Their Rhythm Back
By Joshua Edson, Sr. Public Affairs Specialist
Continuing its legacy of innovation, the Durham VA Health Care System (DVAHCS) once again stands at the forefront of medical advancement, as its Cardiac Cath Lab performed the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) first VARIPULSE catheter ablation procedure on June 26, 2025.
This makes DVAHCS among a handful of both public and private medical facilities in the U.S. to successfully use the VARIPULSE System on patients suffering from atrial fibrillation, a common heart condition causing an irregular heartbeat that can be fatal if not treated quickly.
"We're always happy to be a flagship VA Hospital for new surgical treatments," said Micah Allen, nurse manager of the Durham VA's Cath and Electrophysiology Lab. "I'm proud of our team and their willingness to innovate and integrate new tools and techniques to help our patients."
Typically, an ablation procedure uses extreme heat or cold to create scar tissue or remove unwanted tissues and growth. While the procedure is minimally invasive, extreme temperatures pose a certain amount of risk. The VARIPULSE platform ablations use energy, making it easier for surgeons to use and resulting in fewer complications for patients undergoing pulmonary vein procedures.
“Essentially, VARIPULSE mitigates much risk for the patient because it delivers energy more efficiently and safely,” Dr. Ching Zhu, a Durham VA electrophysiologist, says. “It’s not to say that previous ablation techniques were dangerous, but now we have even less patient risk to consider.”
The VARIPULSE System also makes performing ablations faster. Typically, a procedure can take two to three hours. Durham VA’s first VARIPULSE procedure took just over an hour, from start to finish. Because the catheter can be easily inserted through small incisions, the methods are minimally invasive, which makes recovery times faster for Veterans.
This is good news for Veterans suffering from atrial fibrillation because it means less patient wait time for ablation procedures. Patients like Parks Davis, a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran who, only two weeks before, learned that his shortness of breath was a symptom of a potentially serious cardiac condition.
“When I found out that I had a serious problem with my heart, I figured it would be a couple of months, at least, until I’d see a surgeon,” Davis said. “I’m still surprised that I was seen so quickly.”
As more and more Veterans choose the VA for their health care, it becomes increasingly necessary for VA facilities to introduce innovative processes and the latest medical technology to meet their needs. Integrating tools like VARIPULSE into its growing list of innovative care procedures at the Durham VA helps Veterans like Davis get their “rhythm” back.
“Whether I was the first patient to have this procedure or the thousandth, it doesn’t matter to me,” Davis said. “I just know that without this device and the doctors at the Durham VA, I wouldn’t be here, and I’m thankful for that.”