A revolutionary cardiac "first" at TidalHealth

TidalHealth Peninsula Regional's Guerrieri Heart & Vascular Institute has achieved a significant milestone in the field of cardiac care by becoming the first hospital in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. to offer the innovative robotic convergent procedure. The hospital is also one of only fourteen medical centers nationwide to perform this groundbreaking heart treatment.

The robotic convergent procedure is a highly advanced, minimally invasive treatment option for patients suffering from recurrent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Atrial fibrillation, the most common and potentially dangerous heart rhythm (arrhythmia) disorder affecting an estimated 2.3 million people in the United States, is caused by rapid electrical signals in the upper chambers of the heart (or atria) that can disrupt blood flow, causing an irregular rhythm, and can lead to stroke.

The innovative convergent procedure is considered if the arrhythmia returns after an electrophysiologist performs a catheter-based ablation (scarring the inner heart surface via a blood vessel using a small tube threaded through the groin to the heart). The electrophysiologist then refers the patient to a cardiovascular surgeon who utilizes TidalHealth’s state-of-the-art robotic system to access the heart through a small chest incision and perform epicardial ablation (scarring the outer heart surface). During the procedure, the surgeon also clips the left atrial appendage, separating it from the left atrium, preventing it from throwing circulation blocking blood clots, causing a stroke.

“This is a significant step forward in the treatment of atrial fibrillation using this team approach to enhance precision and minimize risk” said cardiovascular surgeon Fawad Khan, MD, of TidalHealth Cardiovascular Surgery. “We’re thrilled to be the first in the region to offer this advanced procedure. It allows us to provide our patients with the best possible outcomes, using the latest technology to address heart rhythm problems in the most effective way possible.”

Both physician specialists use a similar methodology of radiofrequency energy to create scar tissue in targeted areas of the heart, which effectively disrupts or blocks the abnormal electrical signals that are causing the irregular beats, allowing the heart to pace or beat in a regular or normal rhythm.

This groundbreaking procedure provides hope for patients who have not responded well to traditional treatments, offering them a new option for achieving long-term relief from AFib. After the surgeon’s ablation, the patient returns to the electrophysiologist for follow-up.

The minimally invasive nature of the robotic convergent procedure means heart tissue is treated more accurately, and patients experience less pain, smaller incisions, and faster recoveries, leading to a better quality of life.

"Electrophysiology is a rapidly growing field within cardiology, with innovative strategies emerging for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias. This unique procedure, along with our collaboration with TidalHealth Cardiovascular Surgery surgeons, further enhances the comprehensive services we provide to our community," said Arooge Towheed, MD, of TidalHealth Electrophysiology. "We have been performing this hybrid collaborative procedure for two years and are seeing promising results. The robotic approach, carried out by the cardiovascular surgeons, highlights our commitment to utilizing the latest technologies for the benefit of our patients."

TidalHealth Peninsula Regional’s Guerrieri Heart & Vascular Institute is proud to be a leader in the region and one of the select few nationwide offering this life-changing procedure.

For more information on the robotic convergent procedure or to schedule a consultation with the Guerrieri Heart & Vascular Institute, please call 410-543-7123.