The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) has five EP laboratories equipped with advanced imaging and mapping systems that enhance and improve the accuracy, safety, and effectiveness of catheter ablation therapy and cardiac device implantation for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
Improving Safety/Outcomes
Cardiac imaging is critical to the diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias and the safe and accurate placement of catheters and other devices. For this reason, the Penn EP program has made a substantial investment in imaging technologies.
Three of the EP labs at HUP have biplane X-ray imaging equipment; another is equipped with Stereotaxis remote/robotic catheter navigation technology to facilitate accurate placement of catheters for ablation procedures and complicated device lead placement. The electroanatomical mapping systems currently being used at HUP include CARTO, ESI/NAVX, Rythmia, and Topera; allowing for all available technologies to be considered when personalizing procedures for patients. Additionally, the Penn electrophysiologists specialize in intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) imaging to further guide EP procedures and have written a "how to" book on using ICE as well as dozens of other publications on improving techniques for complex A-Fib and ventricular tachycardia ablation.
Cardiac MRI for Patients with ICDs
HUP is the only center in the region and one of only a few in the country to have developed safe and effective techniques to image the hearts of patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) and other implantable devices. This collaborative effort between the electrophysiology and radiology departments includes a dedicated nurse who monitors all patients during each study. This has allowed our patients to undergo MRI testing in a safe manner; a procedure that was once strictly contraindicated.