Quality & Outcomes: Advanced Cardiac EP Imaging
Advancing Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) has five EP laboratories equipped with advanced imaging and mapping systems that enhance and improve the accuracy, safety and effectiveness of catheter ablation therapy and cardiac device implantation for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
Cardiac EP Imaging Improves Safety/Outcomes
Cardiac imaging is critical to the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias and the safe and accurate placement of catheters and other devices. For this reason, the Penn EP program has made a substantial investment in imaging technologies.
Three of the EP labs at HUP have biplane X-ray imaging equipment; another is equipped with stereotaxis remote/robot-ic catheter navigation technology to facilitate accurate placement of catheters for ablation procedures and complicated device lead placement.
Cardiac MRI for Patients with ICDs
HUP is the only center in the region and one of only a few in the country to have developed techniques to image the hearts of patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators and other implantable devices. A collaborative effort between cardiology, cardiovascular surgery and radiology, the techniques require thorough knowledge of MRI physics and device technology.
Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) guiding transeptal puncture during AF ablation. The Penn electrophysiologists have written a "how to" book on using ICE as well as over 40 other publications on improving techniques for complex A-Fib ablation.
Penn Heart & Vascular 2011 Clinical Activity Report
Need an appointment? Request one online 24 hours/day, 7 days/week or call 800-789-PENN (7366) to speak to a referral counselor.