Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center among first in U.S. to combine advanced AFib treatment technology with real-time imaging

Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center is among the first hospitals in the United States to perform procedures using Abbott’s Volt pulsed field ablation (PFA) system and among only a handful nationwide to combine the technology with integrated intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) guidance. This advanced approach enhances precision and reduces reliance on X-ray imaging for patients being treated for atrial fibrillation (AFib).

The first procedures were successfully performed by electrophysiologists Matthew Gaskill, DO, and Salam Sbaity, MD, at Mon Medical Center, further advancing the program’s longstanding leadership in cardiac rhythm care.

Pulsed field ablation works by delivering highly targeted electrical pulses to the areas of the heart causing abnormal rhythms. Unlike traditional thermal ablation, which uses heat or cold, this approach is designed to minimize damage to surrounding tissue, improving safety — particularly for patients with more complex anatomy.

“Atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmias can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life and increase the risk of serious complications such as stroke,” Dr. Sbaity said. “Pulsed field ablation is an important advancement in how we treat these conditions, and the Volt system builds on that progress with a streamlined approach that allows us to diagnose, map and treat using a single catheter. By incorporating integrated intracardiac echocardiography, or ICE, we’re also able to see the heart in real time during the procedure, which enhances precision and helps reduce the need for radiation.”

Unlike other approaches that may require multiple tools, the Volt PFA system features an all-in-one catheter that enables physicians to map the heart, identify abnormal electrical pathways and deliver treatment during the same procedure. The system is designed to reduce procedure complexity, limit radiation exposure and improve precision through integration with advanced 3D mapping technology. During these initial procedures, the team also utilized low-fluoroscopy techniques with integrated ICE, being among the first cases in the United States to combine Volt PFA technology with integrated ICE guidance. Mon Medical Center is among only a small number of hospitals nationwide performing this advanced, fully integrated approach, allowing physicians to visualize the heart in real time while further reducing reliance on X-ray imaging. The system also offers flexibility to perform procedures using either conscious sedation or general anesthesia, helping expand access to patients who may not otherwise be candidates for ablation.

At Mon Medical Center, the introduction of the Volt system builds on an already robust suite of advanced cardiac technologies. The Mon Heart & Vascular Center team also utilizes the FARAPULSE pulsed field ablation platform, including the FARAPOINT catheter for more targeted ablation when needed. The nationally recognized structural heart program also includes the WATCHMAN device to reduce stroke risk in patients with AFib. Together, these technologies allow physicians to take a comprehensive approach to care — treating both the underlying heart rhythm and reducing stroke risk — while tailoring procedures to each patient’s specific needs.

“The addition of the Volt PFA system further strengthens our ability to tailor treatment to each patient,” Dr. Gaskill said. “Some patients benefit from a streamlined approach using a single catheter, while others may need a more targeted strategy using multiple tools. Being able to choose the right technology for the right situation helps us deliver safer, more effective and truly personalized care.”

Approximately 12 million people in the United States are expected to be affected by AFib by 2030, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The condition increases a person’s risk of stroke by up to five times and has been a primary or contributing cause of death for more than two decades.

With the addition of Volt PFA technology and integrated ICE guidance, Mon Medical Center continues to expand access to advanced cardiac care, ensuring patients in West Virginia and the surrounding region have access to leading-edge treatments without traveling far from home.

Mon Medical Center has earned national recognition from the American College of Cardiology, including the HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence, as well as accreditations in chest pain and electrophysiology care.