In Good Health - Central New York

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Upstate University Hospital ushers in new era of cardiac care for Upstate New York

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ew technology helps doctors perform procedures with greater precision and safety Upstate University Hospital has acquired the Stereotaxis Remote Magnetic Navigation System that will allow physicians to perform remotely controlled, imageguided, computerized heart procedures with greater precision and greater safety than traditional methods allow. Upstate is now one of Upstate University Hospital cardiologist Luna Bhatta, only three hospitals in the M.D., navigates a flexible catheter toward the heart state outside of New York City, using this new technol- while seated at a control panel during a demonstration of ogy. the Stereotaxis system now in use at Upstate University “This technology moves Hospital. cardiac care to a higher level The technology also allows the for patients throughout Upstate New physicians the ability to monitor inforYork, and changes dramatically the mation, including a digital radiograway our physicians can care for one of phy unit, a mapping system and EKG the most delicate organs in the human readings. body,” said Daniel Villarreal, professor “This technology not only proand chief of cardiology at Upstate. vides us with greater precision in these Upstate will use the system to ascomplex procedures, but it enhances sist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient safety on all levels,” Villareal both common and complex cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heart beat), one of said. The technology benefits patients in the most common heart conditions, affecting between 3 million and 5 million many ways by: reducing risk of complications; limiting exposure to radiapeople in the United States. Cardiac tion (for staff, also); reducing the need arrhythmia refers to a disturbance of for additional invasive procedures; and the heart’s normal rhythm. Symptoms providing faster recovery times and generally include heart palpitations, shorter hospital stays because the treatshortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness ment is less invasive. and chest pain. Without proper treatThe Stereotaxis system is the cenment people with this condition are terpiece of Upstate’s new Heart and more likely to suffer a stroke and have Vascular Center. Located on the sixth a higher risk of death. floor of Upstate University Hospital, Traditionally, the treatment of arrhythmias relies on X-ray and electrical the center consolidates the hospital’s signals to manually guide and position non-invasive cardiovascular diagnostic testing into one location, with relatively inflexible catheters in the expanded echocardiography capabiliheart. Of paramount concern is the potential for damaging heart structures ties that offer 4D imaging of the heart, an endovascular imaging suite and that can occur when the procedure enhanced patient amenities and family encounters a complex heart chamber waiting rooms. anatomy With the new technology, a “With the Stereotaxis system and cardiologist in a nearby control room, our new center dedicated to improvaided by powerful magnets positioned ing heart health, Upstate now ofnear the patient and assisted by comfers patients and families the newest puter mapping, guides the magnetictechnology in cardiac care in this most tipped catheter robotically through a labyrinth of blood vessels to the proper dynamic of spaces, all aimed at enhancing the level of care and patient safety,” location of the heart. The special cathsaid Dr. John McCabe, chief executive eter used in the system is softer and more flexible than a traditional catheter officer of Upstate University Hospital. Only about 140 Stereotaxis systems thus reducing the potential for distortare in operation worldwide. ing or damaging the heart wall.

ONONDAGA, OSWEGO, CAYUGA AND MADISON COUNTIES in good A monthly newspaper published by

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In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2011 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126. • Phone: (315) 342-1182 • Fax: (315) 342-7776. Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Writers and Contributing Writers: Suzanne M. Ellis, Jim Miller, Eva Briggs, M.D., Gwenn Voelckers, Deborah Banikowski, Deborah Jeanne Sergeant, Anne Palumbo, Aaron Gifford, Amy Cavalier, Aaron Gifford, Chris Motola, Christopher Owens • Advertising: Donna J. Kimbrell, Tracy DeCann • Layout & Design: Chris Crocker • Proofreading: Shelley Manley • Office Manager: Laura J. Beckwith

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April 2011 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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