Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center is first in world to utilize new 3D cardiac mapping system for treatment of heart rhythm disorders

Navik 3D technology allows real-time display of heart chambers to assist clinicians in treating conditions like atrial fibrillation 

Milwaukee, Wis. – Building on its rich history as a leader in heart health innovation, Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center became the first hospital in the United States to use a new three dimensional cardiac mapping system to treat heart rhythm disorders like atrial fibrillation, also known as AFIB.

APN Health’s Navik 3D mapping system was installed in early March 2018, and the first case treating a patient using the technology occurred on March 22, 2018. Jasbir Sra, M.D., an internationally recognized cardiac electrophysiologist with Aurora Health Care  and vice president of Aurora Heart and Vascular Services, led the procedure, and also helped to develop the technology as a managing member of APN Health.

Navik 3D is the first cardiac mapping technology that does not require specialized equipment. It is compatible with any fluoroscopic imaging, mapping and ablation catheter to identify catheter locations in the heart and create three dimensional maps of the chamber of interest.

“At Aurora Health Care, we continue to look for ways to deliver the best in heart care to patients from around the world,” said Dr. Sra. “To be the first facility in the world to use the new technology reinforces to our patients and the state of Wisconsin our commitment to medical excellence.”

Developed and studied with assistance from Aurora Research Institute, the new technology uses advanced algorithms to allow physicians throughout the world to more easily, accurately, and confidently complete their procedures by pinpointing the exact location in the heart’s chambers that are experiencing the arrhythmias.

“Having partnered with APN Health to conduct the studies that led to FDA clearance of this tool, we are thrilled to see it put into practice,” said Randall Lambrecht, PhD, president of Aurora Research Institute.

More than five million Americans suffer from heart arrhythmias each year, with AFIB being the most common.

“As we look at more effective ways to treat patients, this type of technology will likely allow clinicians around the world use it because it doesn’t require some of the equipment that previous treatment methods required,” noted Sra. “It could be a major advancement in the treatment of arrhythmias.

Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center will be one of five hospitals worldwide to initially use the technology in the first part of 2018, including facilities in Illinois, California, and India.

The Navik system is another in the heart and vascular milestones for Aurora Health Care, including:

• The largest and most experienced Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) program in Wisconsin, performing more than 1,200 cases with a 100 percent success rate.
• The first health care system in world to use new 4D cardiovascular ultrasound technology from GE Healthcare, helping to see the heart like never before.
• The first health care system in Wisconsin to implant a minimally-invasive leadless pacemaker, offering faster recovery time for patients.
• The first heart transplant in Wisconsin in 1968, and since 1982, more than 900 total transplants, more than any other health care system in the state.
• A leader in Ventricular Assistant Devices (VAD)s installation in patients with Advanced Heart Failure, having implanted more than 800 VADs in the past four years.
• The first atrial defibrillator implant in the U.S., the first catheter ablation in Wisconsin and the first epicardial catheter ablation of AFib in America.
• The first device implant in Wisconsin to prevent strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Aurora Health Care’s world-renowned heart and vascular team consists of specialists who use state-of-the-art tools and technologies to provide early diagnosis and advanced cardiac care, including surgical and non-surgical treatment options, as well as hybrid heart procedures.

About Aurora Health Care

Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit Wisconsin-area health care provider and a national leader in efforts to improve health care quality. Aurora offers services at sites in more than 90 communities throughout eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Aurora is Wisconsin’s most comprehensive health care provider and the state’s largest private employer. Aurora serves more than 1.2 million patients every year via a comprehensive network of facilities, services and providers, including 15 hospitals, more than 150 clinics, 70 pharmacies and 33,000 amazing Caregivers. As evidenced by more than 400 active clinical trials, Aurora is dedicated to delivering innovations to provide the best possible care today, and to define the best care for tomorrow. Get helpful health and wellness information through the Aurora blog, our Facebook page, our Instagram account, our Twitter account and our Pinterest account.