THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano Is First in the World to Merge Two High-Tech Systems for A-Fib Therapy

Reduced Procedure Time and Higher Likelihood of Favorable Outcome Is Result

THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano became the first hospital in the world on Friday to merge two highly advanced technologies for atrial fibrillation therapy.

The procedure combined the use of multi-electrode mapping (MEM) software with the Epoch™ platform, making the full-service cardiovascular hospital the first in the world to do so. MEM software, introduced by Biosense Webster®, allows the physician maneuvering a MEM-enabled catheter to acquire multiple mapping points simultaneously with a higher level of detail.  The Epoch™ platform is an advanced computer-controlled technology that allows physicians to navigate within the patient's heart with robotic precision.

Merging these two technologies means higher levels of efficiencies than before in mapping and correcting the patient’s cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). J. Brian DeVille, MD, FACC, FHRS, Medical Director of Electrophysiology and an electrophysiologist on the medical staff of THE HEART HOSPITAL, said this first-in-the-world procedure is an important step to further advancing patient care in the arena of cardiac electrophysiology.

“The integration of these two technologies confirms THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano’s commitment to excellence in patient care and providing advanced treatment to our patients,” DeVille said. “Our goal is always to seek ways to further minimize risk to the patient, which then increases the probability of favorable outcomes.”

Mark Valentine, the hospital’s president added, “THE HEART HOSPITAL is fully committed to improving patient outcomes and that involves implementing advanced technologies that will help us fulfill that goal. We consistently strive to be on the forefront when it comes to innovation because we know that ultimately that is what will serve our patients’ interests in positive ways and help us continue to provide safe, quality, compassionate care.”

About THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano
THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano is recognized as the No. 1 cardiovascular specialty hospital in the country based on cardiac surgery volume and is the first and only freestanding, full-service hospital in this region dedicated solely to heart and vascular health care. Committed to providing safe, quality, compassionate care and five-star service, the 116-bed hospital was created through a partnership between Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano and cardiovascular physicians and surgeons practicing in North Texas. The hospital has received numerous awards and recognition since its January 2007 opening, including five-time Press Ganey® Summit Award® winner for Inpatient and Emergency Department satisfaction, The Joint Commission's Top Performer in Key Quality Measures, Accredited Chest Pain Center with PCI by the Society of Chest Pain Centers, The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Heart Failure, Aetna Institute of Quality for Cardiovascular Care and The Joint Commission's Certification for Ventricular Assist Device. In February 2011, the hospital became one of a select group of 382 healthcare organizations out of 6,000 achieving Magnet® recognition. THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano became only the 26th hospital in Texas to be granted Magnet® Recognition. The facility, located off of the George Bush Turnpike and Preston Road, is currently undergoing a multi-phase hospital expansion due to significant demand for its services. The hospital's Center for Advanced Cardiovascular Care located in Pavilion II, Suite 300 on the Baylor Plano Health Care Campus, offers advanced imaging services and multiple heart disease management centers. For more information about the services offered at THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano, please call 1.800.4BAYLOR or visit TheHeartHospitalBaylor.com.

Notice Regarding Physician Ownership: THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano is a hospital in which physicians have an ownership or investment interest. The list of the physician owners or investors is available to you upon request.

Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano or Baylor Health Care System. ©2011 Baylor Health Care System

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About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White promotes the health and well-being of every individual, family and community it serves. It is committed to making quality care more accessible, convenient and affordable through its integrated delivery network, which includes the Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, the Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and its leading digital health platform – MyBSWHealth. Through 51 hospitals and more than 1,200 access points, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple, the system offers the full continuum of care, from primary to award-winning specialty care. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White today serves more than three million Texans. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com