Cardiac Radioablation: A Groundbreaking Solution for Racing Hearts

Westchester Medical Center is proud to offer a revolutionary treatment for arrhythmia patients who have exhausted other options: cardiac radioablation. This leading-edge procedure combines electrophysiology, cardiology, and radiation medicine to terminate faulty electrical pathways in the heart, offering new hope to patients with limited therapy options.

Understanding Arrhythmia and Ventricular Tachycardia

Most people know the feeling of an arrhythmia or racing heartbeat—whether it’s from an intense workout, an important performance, or a highly anticipated date.

But if you have underlying conditions such as heart failure or prior heart attack, you may be at risk for a dangerous heart rhythm disorder called ventricular tachycardia, caused by incorrect electrical signals within the heart. While the racing heartbeat often stops after a few seconds, those with existing heart problems are at an elevated risk of complications, including sudden death.

Several treatment methods are available for people experiencing an irregular heartbeat. However, some patients may have limited options left to treat this potentially fatal condition after trying multiple types of medications and procedural treatments unsuccessfully.

That’s where Westchester Medical Center and its multidisciplinary team of cardiac radioablation specialists comes in.

“This innovative treatment offers a lifeline to patients who have exhausted other options,” says Aviva Berkowitz, MD, a radiation oncologist at Westchester Medical Center, who collaborated with Westchester Medical Center cardiac electrophysiologist Jason Jacobson, MD, and other specialists, to complete the successful procedure. “By combining the expertise of electrophysiology, cardiology, and radiation medicine, we can provide advanced care that was previously unavailable to many patients.”

How Cardiac Radioablation Works

The treatment begins with a mapping procedure where Westchester Medical Center cardiologists and radiation medicine physicians identify the areas generating arrhythmias.

“Then, working closely with electrophysiology and cardiology colleagues we target the problem location with high-dose stereotactic radiation therapy,” says Dr. Berkowitz. “The area generating abnormal electrical signals is neutralized thereby preventing the arrhythmia from occurring.”

The sophistication of this procedure is remarkable and only available at medical centers with skilled physicians and sophisticated medical equipment. The heart continues to beat while the treatment is administered, presenting the challenge of hitting a moving target with a precise beam.

Despite its complexity, “The procedure takes about 45 minutes, is non-invasive, and can be done in an office setting. The radiation beam is very precise, which limits damage to healthy surrounding tissue,” says Dr. Berkowitz.

The Impact of Cardiac Radioablation

Studies have shown that this type of radiation procedure can be highly effective at reducing arrhythmias in patients that have failed the standard catheter ablation therapy.

“This can be a lifesaving procedure for patients who think they’re out of options,” says Dr. Berkowitz. “And here at Westchester Medical Center, we can work closely with the patient and other specialists to offer complex treatments that aren’t always readily available in the community.”

“Having cardiac radioablation available in our community is a game-changer,” says
Dr. Jacobson, who specializes in arrhythmia care. “As a cardiac electrophysiologist, I see firsthand how debilitating arrhythmias can be. This procedure provides a new, effective treatment choice that can significantly improve the quality of life for our neighbors. It is an option for heart failure patients with persistent ventricular tachycardia despite standard treatments. These patients often have implantable defibrillators that deliver lifesaving, but uncomfortable, shocks to stop the arrhythmia.”

WMCHealth’s Commitment to Innovation

At WMCHealth, we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of medical innovation. Radioablation is a pioneering treatment that exemplifies our commitment to providing innovative care. And for patients facing severe heart conditions, we offer a beacon of hope and a path to recovery.

Our mission is to ensure that every patient has access to the most advanced treatments available, giving them the best chance to reclaim their health. Visit WMCHealth’s Heart and Vascular Institute for more information about arrhythmias and treatment options, as well as Westchester Medical Center’s Radiation Medicine program through which community members can receive help from today’s latest treatment advancements.