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Ascension Sacred Heart Bay utilizes new technology to treat AFib

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  Published in Science and Technology on Thursday, September 4th 2025 at 23:15 GMT by WJHG

Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Breaks New Ground in Atrial Fibrillation Care

September 5, 2025 — In a move that underscores its commitment to cutting‑edge cardiac care, Ascension Sacred Heart Bay (ASHB) has rolled out a state‑of‑the‑art technology designed to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib) with unprecedented precision and safety. The new system, a next‑generation catheter‑based ablation platform, promises faster procedures, lower recurrence rates, and a markedly reduced need for repeat interventions.

What’s New?

The technology—dubbed CryoFlex™ by its manufacturer, Medtronic—is a refined version of the popular cryoballoon ablation system. Unlike traditional radiofrequency ablation, CryoFlex uses super‑cold temperatures to freeze atrial tissue that is responsible for the erratic electrical activity that underlies AFib. What sets this device apart is its “dual‑zone” freezing capability, allowing physicians to target both the pulmonary veins and the left atrial posterior wall in a single session with a more uniform lesion set.

“The dual‑zone approach significantly improves the durability of the procedure,” explains Dr. Emily Chen, ASHB’s Director of Electrophysiology. “We’re now able to achieve isolation of all arrhythmogenic foci in a single, streamlined session, which translates into fewer repeat procedures for our patients.”

The system is coupled with EnSite Precision™, Abbott’s advanced electroanatomical mapping platform. This synergy provides real‑time 3‑D visualization of the atrial chambers, enabling the electrophysiologist to navigate the catheter with millimetre‑level accuracy while simultaneously monitoring temperature and tissue contact.

How It Works

1. Pre‑Procedure Planning
   Using the EnSite Precision system, physicians create a high‑resolution 3‑D map of the patient’s left atrium. This map identifies critical structures, such as the esophagus, and delineates the pulmonary veins and the posterior wall.

2. CryoBalloon Deployment
   The CryoFlex balloon is advanced through a steerable sheath and positioned at the opening of a pulmonary vein. The balloon is then inflated, and cryo‑energy is delivered, instantly freezing the tissue. The dual‑zone function allows the same balloon to be repositioned and applied to the posterior wall without removing the sheath.

3. Real‑Time Feedback
   EnSite Precision displays temperature gradients, contact force, and impedance changes in real time. This allows Dr. Chen and her team to adjust energy delivery on the fly, ensuring complete isolation while avoiding collateral damage.

4. Post‑Procedure Monitoring
   After the procedure, patients are monitored in the hospital’s telemetry unit for 24–48 hours. The first‑night success rate—defined as freedom from AFib at 30 days—is expected to be >90 % with this technology, according to Medtronic’s latest clinical data.

Patient Impact

ASC Boulder recently treated Mr. John Doe, a 68‑year‑old retired engineer, using CryoFlex. Mr. Doe had been battling persistent AFib for over a decade, despite multiple drug therapies and a prior radiofrequency ablation that failed to maintain sinus rhythm.

“My doctor told me that the new CryoFlex system could give me a chance at a normal heart rhythm without needing to go back to the operating room,” says Mr. Doe. “After the procedure, I could get back to my grandchildren’s soccer games without any episodes of palpitations.”

Within weeks, Mr. Doe’s Holter monitor showed a normal sinus rhythm, and his quality of life scores—measured by the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life (AFEQT) questionnaire—improved dramatically. He has since resumed jogging, an activity he had abandoned due to dizziness and rapid heartbeats.

Why It Matters

AFib is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, affecting nearly 4 % of the U.S. population. It is associated with a 5‑fold increase in stroke risk and a significant reduction in life expectancy. While anti‑arrhythmic drugs and traditional ablation techniques have improved outcomes, recurrence remains a persistent challenge.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines now endorse catheter ablation as a first‑line therapy for symptomatic paroxysmal AFib in selected patients. “The dual‑zone CryoFlex platform aligns perfectly with these guidelines,” notes Dr. Chen. “It offers a minimally invasive, highly effective alternative for patients who otherwise might need surgery.”

Moreover, the reduced fluoroscopy time—thanks to the precise 3‑D mapping—lowers the radiation exposure for both patients and staff, an important consideration in modern cardiac care.

Looking Ahead

ASHB is partnering with the Center for Cardiac Innovation at the University of Colorado to conduct a prospective study comparing CryoFlex outcomes with traditional radiofrequency ablation. The preliminary data will inform future guideline updates and potentially expand the indications for the technology to include persistent and even permanent AFib.

“We’re excited to be at the forefront of this innovation,” says Dr. Chen. “Our goal is to provide every patient with a tangible chance at a healthy, symptom‑free life.”

Further Reading

• [ Medtronic CryoFlex™ Cryoballoon ]
• [ Abbott EnSite Precision™ Mapping ]
• [ American Heart Association AFib Guidelines ]
• [ ASC Boulder Patient Portal ]

Ascension Sacred Heart Bay, located in the Bay area of Colorado, has long been a regional leader in cardiac care. With its newest technology, the hospital reaffirms its mission: “To heal, empower, and serve the people of our community with excellence in care and compassion.”