Colorado Springs Cardiology (CSC) is proud to announce a landmark achievement in cardiovascular care: the successful completion of the first atrial fibrillation (AFib) ablation procedure in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) in the state of Colorado. The historic procedure was performed earlier this month using the VARIPULSE™ Plus Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) system by Dr. Shu Chang, a Cardiac Electrophysiologist at CSC’s Heart & Vascular Ambulatory Surgery Center in Colorado Springs.
Following the procedure, patients undergoing AFib ablation in the ASC setting benefit from same-day discharge, allowing them to recover in the comfort of home rather than an overnight hospital stay. Published research supports that outpatient AFib ablation is both safe and feasible, with the vast majority of patients not requiring any additional hospital services following their procedure. The streamlined, patient-centered environment at CSC’s ASC means shorter wait times, a more personalized care experience, and the same high standard of clinical excellence patients expect from Colorado Springs Cardiology.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia, affecting more than 8 million people in the United States and over 50 million people worldwide. Approximately 1 in 4 adults over the age of 40 are at risk of developing AFib, yet about one-third of those living with the condition are unaware they have it, often going undiagnosed until serious complications arise. Catheter ablation is a safe and effective treatment option for patients when medications fail to adequately control the heart’s abnormal electrical signals.
Pulsed field ablation (PFA) has revolutionized the care of atrial fibrillation. PFA has allowed cardiac ablation for AFib to be safely and efficiently performed in an ambulatory surgical center tailored for cardiac patients. PFA is an innovative energy modality that selectively targets cardiac tissue with precision, offering a distinct safety and efficacy profile compared to traditional ablation methods.
Dr. Chang performed the first ambulatory setting PFA ablation utilizing the VARIPULSE™ Plus system. The procedure was exceptionally efficient: using a zero-exchange approach and minimal fluoroscopy, the team achieved a stick-to-pull time of under an hour.
This milestone was made possible through the expertise of Dr. Chang and the CSC clinical team, with on-site support provided by the J&J MedTech EP clinical team (Biosense Webster). CSC’s Ambulatory Surgery Center is accredited by The Joint Commission and equipped with state-of-the-art technology designed to deliver advanced cardiovascular procedures in a patient-centered, outpatient environment, allowing most patients to return home the same day.