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Levinson Heart Hospital Team is First in Richmond to Perform Hybrid Maze Procedure for Atrial FibrillationElectrophysiologist and Cardiac Surgeon Pair to Treat A FibMedia Contact: Richmond, VA, August 28, 2009 – Yesterday, the cardiac team at the Levinson Heart Hospital at CJW’s Chippenham was the first in Richmond to perform a Hybrid Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation (A Fib). Cardiovascular Surgeon Graham Bundy, MD, and Electrophysiologist David Gilligan, MD, teamed together on this minimally invasive surgery on a 57-year-old woman. "This is an exciting advancement for the treatment of atrial fibrillation,” said Lee Higginbotham, Administrator of Levinson Heart Hospital at CJW’s Chippenham Hospital. “The Hybrid Maze procedure brings together the expertise of cardiac surgeons and electrophysiologists. Our commitment to the most advanced technologies and procedures and record of patient outcomes are two of the reasons we have been recognized by HealthGrades as Virginia’s #1 Heart Hospital for three years in a row.” A Fib, known as the “silent killer” because it often goes unnoticed, is a disorder found in roughly two million Americans. During A Fib, the heart's two small upper chambers (the atria) quiver instead of beating effectively. Blood isn't pumped completely out of these chambers, so it may pool and clot. If a piece of a blood clot in the atria leaves the heart and becomes lodged in an artery in the brain, a stroke results. The Hybrid Maze procedure is for patients with chronic A Fib and extremely dilated left atria. These patients typically are very difficult to treat with a single or even a second electrophysiology catheter ablation. “In the past, we probably would not have even attempted an ablation on a patient in this severe condition,” said Dr. Gilligan. “This convergent approach provides an option for these patients that didn’t exist before.” During this procedure, the cardiac surgeon makes small incisions to access the heart and creates surgical lesions that block the triggers and pathways of A Fib. When the surgical portion of the procedure is complete, the electrophysiologist takes over using a cardiac mapping system to identify gaps in the lesions created by the surgeon. After the gaps are located, the electrophysiologist completes the ablation using a specialized catheter. This portion of the treatment is similar to a standard A Fib ablation, but requires less time. “The Hybrid Maze procedure is minimally invasive, and our patient should experience minimal discomfort and recovery time.” said Dr. Bundy. “As opposed to other minimally invasive A Fib procedures, this technique avoids chest or breast bone incisions.” About CJW Medical Center About HCA Virginia Health System – Central Virginia Market ### Chippenham Hospital and Johnston-Willis Hospital are campuses of CJW Medical Center. Parham Doctors’ Hospital and Retreat Doctors’ Hospital are campuses of Henrico Doctors’ Hospital
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