Houston Northwest Medical Center Adds Advanced Biplane Viewer and Intracardiac Echocardiography to Heart Care Services
Houston Northwest Medical Center recently added a new biplane unit that allows physicians to view simultaneous, real-time X-ray views of both the front and back of the heart when treating atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeat. Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) is also now available at the hospital to take pictures of the heart from within the heart itself. Both technologies give cardiologists greater precision while enhancing their ability to perform procedures.
Biplane technology adds a “two-view” angle to heart care at Houston Northwest Medical Center.
Treatment for atrial fibrillation involves focusing a radiofrequency beam on tiny patches of heart muscle. This painless procedure, known as ablation, re-regulates the heart’s electrical impulses so it can beat with a more normal, healthier rhythm. Using the biplane technology allows viewing of the front and back of the heart simultaneously which results in reduced X-ray exposure for the patient.
“Patients require less medication overall when an ablation can be performed for atrial fibrillation. They also feel better and we’re able to improve their quality of life,” says Pam Egan, RN, BSN, director of cardiology at Houston Northwest Medical Center.
ICE is an imaging technique that uses a small catheter with an ultrasound transducer to obtain views of the inner workings of the heart during an ablation procedure. ICE requires threading the small ultrasound probe through a vein in the groin to the area of the heart being evaluated. ICE is easier for patients and requires only local anesthetic at the site of insertion.
Intracardiac echocardiography (known as ICE) takes pictures of the heart from within the heart itself
“This allows us to perform real-time imaging of a heart during ablation procedures,” says Ramesh Hariharan, M.D., a cardiologist, who specializes in electrophysiology, on the medical staff at Houston Northwest Medical Center. “Intracardiac echocardiography is safe and allows us to navigate within the heart with greater ease. This technology is routinely used during atrial fibrillation ablation procedures to visualize important cardiac structures such as the pulmonary veins.”
ICE and the new biplane viewer are part of the hospital’s newly remodeled cardiac catheterization laboratory. “The capabilities of our heart program have expanded with the addition of these new technologies, which underscores our commitment to excellence in cardiac care,” says Egan. “We’re pleased to provide this kind of leading-edge heart care in a relaxed, community-based setting that is convenient for our patients.
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