St. David's Medical Center Implements New Robotic Technology to Treat Common Heart Rhythm...( St. David's is Second Hospital Nati...),Health

St. David's is Second Hospital Nationwide to Acquire Groundbreaking Tool

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- St. David's Medical Center today announced its acquisition of a new robotic surgery system that allows for minimally invasive treatment of heart rhythm disorders that can result in a stroke. Called the Sensei(TM) Robotic Catheter System and Artisan(TM) Control Catheter, the new technology is only the second to be installed in the country after the Cleveland Clinic.

"The purchase of this technology builds on the already strong national reputation of St. David's as one of the leading centers in treating cardiac arrhythmias," David Huffstutler, Chief Executive Officer of St. David's Medical Center, said. "We are proud to be the second in the nation to provide this important new technology."

St. David's Medical Center acquired the first generation Sensei(TM) Robotic Catheter system and Artisan(TM) Control Catheter for use during complex interventional catheter-based procedures. The robotic system is designed to facilitate minimally invasive catheter-based procedures in the heart by providing physicians with more control over catheter placement compared to the more common manual technique.

"Robotic surgery -- with its many benefits to the patient and the surgeon -- is changing the way we perform complex cardiac procedures," said Dr. G. Joseph Gallinghouse, electrophysiologist, Texas Cardiovascular Consultants.

Physicians at St. David's Medical Center began operating with the Sensei(TM) Robotic Catheter System and Artisan(TM) Control Catheter in September 2007. To date, 14 patients have been treated with the new technology.

Heart rhythm disorders, called arrhythmias, affect millions of people each year. Roughly 2.2 million people in the United States suffer from one form of arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation or A Fib. During A Fib, the heart's two small upper chambers (the atria) quiver instead of beating effectively.
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