Wauwatosa, WI (May 1, 2008) – The Wisconsin Heart Hospital announced today that it has completed its installation of the Niobe Magnetic Navigation System, manufactured by Stereotaxis, Inc. [NASDAQ: STXS], to treat complex cardiac arrhythmias, and that Peter Chapman, MD and Margot Vloka, MD, cardiologists at The Wisconsin Heart Hospital, have performed over 20 procedures with the System.
The Wisconsin Heart Hospital’s Niobe System is the first –and only- remote magnetic navigation technology installed in Wisconsin to perform cardiac ablations. Drs. Chapman and Vloka performed the state’s first procedure with this cutting edge, remote technology on March 25th, 2008, to treat a patient with atrial flutter. They have since extended their use of the System to perform both routine and complex atrial fibrillation ablations.
Cardiac arrhythmia refers to any disturbance in the regular rhythm of the heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation is the most common irregular heart rhythm, affecting about 2.6 million people in the United States. People with atrial fibrillation are five to seven times more likely to have a stroke than those without atrial fibrillation and have an increased risk of death.
The Niobe Magnetic Navigation System allows physicians to treat cardiac arrhythmias with a greater degree of efficiency, safety, and precision by driving powerful magnets positioned near the patient with sophisticated software used by the physician. The software maps a pathway through a patient’s blood vessels and heart to the diseased heart tissue, and the magnets lead a soft catheter gently along this pathway by guiding its magnetic tip. This enables the physician to safely position the catheter in the precise location of the heart’s malfunction. The physician can then activate the catheter and effectively deliver the required treatment.
“This is a quantum step forward for patients with cardiac arrhythmia,” said Dr. Chapman. “Traditionally, cardiac ablations are performed manually, with a stiffer catheter. Stereotaxis allows me to manipulate a soft catheter with a greater level of precision than is possible with manual techniques. This significantly increases the likelihood of a successful ablation and results in a shorter procedure. The shorter procedure results in a significant reduction in the patient’s exposure to x-rays, as well as a reduced risk of such complications as the perforation of blood vessels or heart tissue.”
“Every day, new technologies are paving the way for better outcomes and improved quality of life for heart patients,” said Norma McCutcheon, President of The Wisconsin Heart Hospital. “At The Wisconsin Heart Hospital, we continuously strive to reach higher standards of excellence in care and we are committed to providing the most advanced tools to allow doctors to find and treat problems quickly, using the least invasive methods.”
“The medical evidence presented in more than 70 published studies demonstrates that arrhythmia procedures with magnetic navigation can be performed in less time than manual procedures and are gentler and safer and more effective for the patient, most importantly resulting in fewer side effects,” added Ms. McCutcheon. “This new standard in cardiac care has allowed us to achieve quality outcomes along with a level of patient satisfaction that is truly exceptional.”
About The Wisconsin Heart Hospital
Located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, The Wisconsin Heart Hospital, a member of Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, was the vision of a group of cardiac, vascular and specialty physicians who wanted to treat broad-based diseases that affect cardiac and vascular systems. They began with a unique premise – they wanted to help shape the future of cardiovascular care through locating innovative workflow, patient care, diagnostics and imaging technologies under one roof.
The only cardiovascular specialty hospital and first accredited chest pain center in the Milwaukee area, the 60-bed hospital was designed for the complexities of heart and vascular care. Its services include diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization and peripheral vascular procedures, electrophysiology, surgical services, diagnostic imaging, 24/7 emergency services and wellness and preventive medicine programs.
As a result of its focus on patient service, TWHH has been identified as performing in the top 1% of all hospitals in the nation for patient perception of quality, a tremendous achievement.
For more information about The Wisconsin Heart Hospital, its award-winning care and outstanding outcomes, log on to twhh.org or contact Mary McIntosh at 414-778-7810.