CT - PRE-ABLATION
Florida Institute for Advanced Diagnostic Imaging (FIFADI) has announced it's initial findings utilizing cardiac CTA as a precursor to Cardiac Ablation Therapy. In its quest to improve patient outcomes, and reduce or eliminate patient exposure to invasive procedure times, the FIFADI is exploring the full potential of 16-slice cardiac CT and three-dimensional reconstruct of the heart. The FIFADI is successfully evaluating the left atrium and pulmonary veins before certain electrophysiological procedures are performed, such as catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

NEW CLINICAL CAPABILITIES
Cardiac Ablation Therapy
Atrial fibrillation is an increasingly common diagnosis. Ablation is a procedure that destroys very small, carefully selected parts of the heart that are causing abnormal contractions. As a result, the heart's normal and regular rhythm is restored. The clinical physicians and researchers at the FIFADI continue to work with, explore, and fine-tune cardiac reconstruction technology, in their effort to offer the finest images available to the invasive cardiologist for use as an anatomical roadmap, to reach the target, before the patient is scheduled for catheter ablation.

IMPROVED OUTCOMES OFFERED TO CARDIAC PATIENTS
Cardiac CT is used to give the EP cardiologist a first look at the cardiac anatomy," said Steven M. Strobbe, D.O., Executive Physician and CEO, Florida Institute for Advanced Diagnostic Imaging. "This technology is proving itself an invaluable tool that offers the ability to visually locate vessels, determine the size and shape of those vessels, and the patterns of their side branches. Additionally, this technology permits routine evaluation and accurate measurement of the ostiums of left atrial appendage and pulmonary veins, before the patient is taken to surgery for ablation."

Fabio M. Leonelli, M.D., renowned Cardiologist and EP specialist of the Heart and Vascular Institute of Florida in Clearwater is excited about the new procedure; "Cardiac CT is proving helpful in the pre-assessment evaluation of the patient undergoing ablation therapy for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. This technology affords excellent anatomical reconstruction of the area to be ablated. There is no question... the future of complex arrhythmia treatment will be found through a combination of CT scanning and Electrical Mapping."

This state-of-the-art CT technology enables the physician to more precisely plan, perform, and evaluate this invasive procedure. FIFADI is committed to improving and expanding on clinical technology accuracy, cost effectiveness, and patient recovery times.