Another Canadian First for London Health Sciences Centre

In August of 2006, cardiologists Dr. Lorne Gula and Dr. Allan Skanes were one of two independent Canadian medical teams to first use new electroanatomical mapping technology to perform a pulmonary vein ablation (PVA) for atrial fibrillation.

The arrhythmia specialists guided a catheter tip within a one-millimetre degree of accuracy to perform an ablation procedure – where areas of the heart are selectively heated until they can no longer conduct the electrical currents that produce irregular heart rhythms.

“It’s exciting being part of a Canadian first,” admits cardiologist Dr. Lorne Gula. “It motivates us to keep being innovative in developing the procedure further.”

“Ablations are a highly successful treatment for irregular heart rhythms,” says Dr. Allan Skanes, who performed the procedure with Dr. Gula. “While atrial fibrillation can sometimes take weeks to subside following an ablation procedure, in that first case, the patient’s condition was corrected during the course of the procedure and has not returned since.”

The risk of the procedure is reduced with the new technology, which creates a more accurate map that shows cardiologists where they can and cannot ablate.

Also, in the newest version now being used by the lab, an ultrasound scan, as opposed to a CT scan, is incorporated into the map, considerably reducing radiation exposure for the patient.

The Electrophysiology Lab at University Hospital is a high volume centre for ablations—performing the highest number in Ontario—making it the ideal choice to first use the new arrhythmia tool. “That, and the actions of Liz Martin, Manager of Cardiac Services,” says Dr. Gula. “She is a very active supporter of our program and was directly involved in helping us secure this technology.

“We are also lucky to have the expertise and guidance of Dr. George Klein, a pioneer in this area.”

As of May 2007, three pulmonary vein ablations to treat atrial fibrillation were being done a week at LHSC. And now, through the arrhythmia unit’s outreach clinic more people can benefit from the latest cutting-edge treatment.

Through videoconferencing, the arrhythmia group provides consults to patients in parts of Canada where the services of an arrhythmia specialist are not available, including Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northern Ontario. If the patient has to travel, it will only be once, to have the four to six-hour procedure done.

“I like the fact that a lot of our patients are otherwise healthy young people who can be completely cured with ablation,” Dr. Gula says. “I feel like we are making a difference.”

For more information:
September 5, 2006 Media Release