Colorado Springs Cardiology is proud to announce a landmark milestone at its newly opened Heart & Vascular Ambulatory Surgery Center: the successful completion of the first outpatient electrophysiology (EP) ablation procedure in the state of Colorado, performed by Dr. Shu Chang, a board-certified electrophysiologist and Colorado native.
The procedure marks a major step forward in the practice’s mission to deliver advanced cardiovascular care close to home, in a state-of-the-art outpatient setting that prioritizes patient comfort, safety, and convenience.
What is an EP Ablation?
The heart relies on a precise electrical system to maintain a steady, coordinated rhythm. When that system malfunctions, it can cause cardiac arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart rhythms that range from mildly disruptive to potentially serious. Arrhythmias affect millions of Americans and are among the most common reasons patients are referred to an electrophysiologist.
Catheter ablation is a safe and effective procedure used to treat a variety of cardiac arrhythmias. During the procedure, a cardiologist uses a thin, flexible catheter to identify and target the specific areas of heart tissue responsible for generating abnormal electrical signals. By eliminating those signals through heat (radiofrequency ablation) or cold (cryoablation), the procedure helps restore the heart’s normal rhythm. For many patients, catheter ablation offers long-term relief when medications alone have not been effective.
Colorado Springs Cardiology’s first outpatient EP ablation case was an atrial flutter ablation, a treatment for one of the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmias, in which the upper chambers of the heart beat too rapidly in a regular but abnormal pattern.
Until now, procedures like EP ablations have traditionally required a hospital setting. The opening of Colorado Springs Cardiology’s Heart & Vascular Ambulatory Surgery Center, located at 10600 White Diamond Point, Suite 100, changes that for Southern Colorado patients. The facility is designed to support a full range of cardiac and vascular procedures in an outpatient environment, meaning patients can receive the same high-caliber care without an overnight hospital stay.
“We are thrilled to bring this level of cardiac care directly to our patients in an outpatient setting,” said Jennifer Mackynen, the ASC Director of Nursing for Colorado Springs Cardiology. “Completing our first EP ablation case is a proud moment for our entire team and reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding access to the most advanced cardiovascular care available.”
Colorado Springs Cardiology continues to grow its capabilities to serve the Southern Colorado community, and the Heart & Vascular ASC represents the next chapter in that commitment.