St Ritas Electrophysiologist Navigates Through the Heart with New Mapping System

(LIMA; May 15, 2017) Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Health Partners brings new technology into its hybrid operating room and to the region. The medical center recently installed the Abbott EnSite Precision™ cardiac mapping system. The mapping system is a next-generation platform designed to provide automation, flexibility and accuracy for diagnostic mapping used in ablation procedures to treat patients with abnormal heart rhythms (cardiac arrhythmias). St. Rita’s was also among one of the first locations in the U.S. to utilize this technology, which received CE Mark in January 2016 and recently received FDA clearance.

“I like to think of the mapping system like a GPS. My team can precisely navigate within the heart and reference higher density diagnostic data. This allows us to provide a better and more informed diagnosis,” said Dr. B. John Hynes, electrophysiologist at St. Rita’s and one of the first physicians to use the system within Ohio. “This system also allows us to tailor our care to the individual patient and situation.”

 This new technology is important because as the population ages, experiencing cardiac arrhythmias is expected to increase. A common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation affects more than 3 million Americans. While the system can help identify this common arrhythmia, it also enables diagnosis of a wide range of arrhythmias.

Dr. Hynes and team use catheter ablation to treat cardiac arrhythmias. Flexible tubes with wires (catheters) are inserted into the heart and record and “map” electrical information from the heart on to the cardiac mapping system.

What makes this new tool distinct from counterparts is that it not only provides a more informed diagnosis, but the system uses intelligent automation tools. These tools were designed to allow faster and more accurate high density maps. Due to the clearer and more accurate mapping, physicians can provide more tailored treatment to patients with cardiac arrhythmias, including those with a more complex case.

 “We made the decision to purchase the EnSite Precision™ cardiac mapping system because it allows us to provide more advanced care to the communities we serve,” said Dr. Hynes. “Being able to provide the best resources our physicians and patients need is important.”

Dr. Hynes will showcase and provide a first look of this technology at St. Rita’s Hybrid Operating Room located at St. Rita’s Medical Center, 730 W. Market St, Lima, Ohio, 45801, on Wednesday, May 17 at 3 p.m.

About St. Rita’s Health Partners

Since 1918, St. Rita’s Health Partners has been providing quality healthcare to the people of Lima and west central Ohio. More people prefer St. Rita's for medical care than any other hospital in the 10-county region we serve. Our comprehensive high-quality medical services include The Henry & Beverly Hawk Vascular & Heart Center at St. Rita's, St. Rita's Orthopaedic Care Center, trauma and emergency, cancer treatment, women's health, mother/baby, pediatrics, sports medicine and rehabilitation, behavioral health services, homecare and hospice.

As a member of Mercy Health, the largest health system in Ohio and one of the largest health systems in the United States, it is our Mission to extend the healing ministry of Jesus by improving the health of our communities. In 2014, St. Rita’s Health Partners invested $42 million in community benefit into the communities where we provide care, most of it targeted to people who are poor and under-served. Together with more than 3,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, we are fulfilling our promise, providing area residents with outstanding health and wellness services and improving the health of the communities we serve. Please visit mercy.com for more information or connect with St. Rita’s Medical Center on Facebook.

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