Embracing Innovation: Pulsed Field Ablation Offers New Hope for Patients with Irregular Heartbeats

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At 76, Marty Lynn, a retired podiatrist from Snohomish, prided himself on his active lifestyle and overall good health. However, in the winter of 2023, Marty noticed subtle signs that something was amiss. Initially dismissing his occasional lightheadedness and fatigue, he later found his symptoms increasingly concerning. Suddenly, mundane activities like sitting in a chair could leave him feeling disoriented. His unusual condition reached a tipping point when Marty lost consciousness after yawning, prompting him to seek immediate medical care.

Upon visiting a walk-in clinic and subsequently the emergency room at EvergreenHealth, an electrocardiogram (EKG) revealed Marty was suffering from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AFib)—a condition characterized by intermittent irregular heart rhythms. Marty was prescribed an oral medication to treat his AFib symptoms, but severe side effects led him to seek alternative options.

In his search for more long-term solutions, he was referred to Maheer Gandhavadi, MD, FACC, FHRS, medical director of cardiac electrophysiology at Overlake’s Heart & Vascular Center—a program that partners with EvergreenHealth Heart Care to offer unmatched care on the Eastside. Dr. Gandhavadi recommended an innovative, new treatment approach: pulsed field ablation (PFA).

“I felt very secure with Dr. Gandhavadi. The hallmark of a really good physician is their ability to stay current.” – Marty Lynn

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Unlike traditional ablation methods involving freezing (cryoablation) or heating (radiofrequency) heart tissue, PFA uses rapid, pulsed electrical fields to precisely target and treat problematic heart tissue associated with AFib. “This innovative approach selectively treats the abnormal heart tissue and minimizes the risk of damaging surrounding organs, nerves or blood vessels, offering a safer alternative for patients like Marty,” adds Dr. Gandhavadi.

In March 2024, Overlake Medical Center became the first hospital in the Pacific Northwest to offer PFA treatment, using two U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved devices: the Medtronic PulseSelect™ and Boston Scientific FARAPULSE™ systems.

Marty was among the first at Overlake to receive PFA treatment just a month later. Post-ablation, Marty reports significant improvements in his symptoms and quality of life, with less overall anxiety about his condition. Reflecting on his decision to pursue PFA, Marty acknowledges the importance of staying informed about available treatment options. “As a retired podiatrist, I understand the value of embracing new technologies,” he shares. “I felt very secure with Dr. Gandhavadi. The hallmark of a really good physician is their ability to stay current.”

As the most advanced center of its kind on the Eastside, Overlake’s David and Shelley Hovind Heart & Vascular Center, a program that partners with EvergreenHealth Heart Care, offers a full range of resources for the prevention, early detection, rapid treatment, and rehabilitation of heart and vascular diseases.