Vandalia Health physicians perform first procedure in West Virginia using advanced pulsed field ablation technology

Cardiologists Matthew Gaskill, DO, and Salam Sbaity, MD, of the Vandalia Health Mon Heart & Vascular Center at Vandalia Health Mon Medical Center in Morgantown, have successfully performed the first procedure in West Virginia to treat heart rhythm disorders using the FARAPOINT Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) Catheter as part of the FARAPULSE PFA Platform — bringing this advanced treatment option closer to home for patients across the state and surrounding region.

Pulsed field ablation is a minimally invasive treatment used to address heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation (AFib). Unlike traditional ablation methods that use heat or cold energy, pulsed field ablation uses short bursts of electrical energy to target abnormal heart tissue while minimizing impact on surrounding structures.

The FARAPOINT catheter enhances Boston Scientific’s FARAPULSE system by giving physicians more control during procedures, allowing them to treat specific areas of the heart or create more customized treatment patterns when needed. This added precision supports the treatment of more complex heart rhythm conditions.

Vandalia Health has an established, nationally recognized program for treating heart rhythm disorders, including use of the FARAPULSE system for pulsed field ablation and WATCHMAN procedures that help reduce stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation. The program recently earned redesignation as an ACC HeartCARE Center, achieving national recognition for cardiovascular care quality. The addition of the FARAPOINT catheter builds on these capabilities by allowing for more precise and tailored treatment.

“This is an important advancement for our electrophysiology program and for the patients we serve,” Dr. Gaskill said. “Pulsed field ablation allows us to treat arrhythmias in a more targeted way to improve both safety and efficiency.”

“Introducing this technology in West Virginia reflects our commitment to providing patients with access to advanced treatment options close to home,” said Dr. Sbaity. “It allows us to care for patients here, rather than requiring them to travel outside the state for specialized procedures.”

“Expanding our electrophysiology capabilities with technologies like pulsed field ablation allows us to offer patients more precise treatment options for complex heart rhythm conditions,” said Bradford Warden, MD, Executive Director and Chief of Cardiology, Vandalia Health Mon Heart & Vascular Center. “This advancement reflects our focus on delivering quality, specialized cardiovascular care and continuing to build a strong, comprehensive program for the communities we serve.”

For more information, visit MonHealth.com/Heart.