New Electrophysiology Lab Enhancements Advance Patient Care at Marin General Hospital's Haynes Cardiovascular Institute

GREENBRAE, CA — New advanced electrophysiology diagnostic systems and devices added to the Haynes Cardiovascular Institute (HCI) at Marin General Hospital are expected to enhance patient care in its Electrophysiology (EP) Lab, the only Marin County hospital to offer such a lab. HCI is the only comprehensive cardiovascular care program in Marin County. The new system additions have been made possible by more than $1.5 million in generous community donations.

Upgrades to the Lab, also known as the Marin General Hospital EP Suite, incorporate a state-of-the-art navigation system, including 3D imaging, critical in the treatment of atrial fibrillation (A-fib) and other cardiac arrhythmias. A new cardiovascular imaging system will deliver the highest image quality at the lowest possible X-ray dose and a companion recording system will integrate all electrophysiology systems to streamline diagnosis and procedure management. A state-of-the-art cardiac stimulator completes the expansion of the EP Lab.

"With the new equipment additions and refined treatment processes - plus our dedicated team of physicians and nursing staff, Marin General Hospital's EP Suite is one of the most advanced and integrated in the Bay Area," says Dr. Sujoya Dey, MD, Director of the Electrophysiology Laboratory, and a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of complex cardiac arrhythmia. "We now will be able to increase efficiency considerably, resulting in shorter anesthesia times and even better outcomes."

"Marin General Hospital had the first dedicated EP lab in the North Bay, and we have once again invested to maintain a leadership position," said Joel Sklar, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Marin General Hospital. "We're proud of a long list of 'firsts' in the past for our lab, and our intention is to continue to ensure that patients can get cutting-edge, extraordinary care right here in Marin."

Financial support for the upgrades has come through $1,556,989 in donations from the community to Marin General Hospital and its Foundation.

"The contributions for the new EP Lab enhancements represent further evidence of the far-reaching support we have received from the community," says David Sperling, MD, Medical Director of Haynes Cardiovascular Institute and Larkspur-based cardiologist, responsible for leading the capital campaign for the project. "This reiterates the continued growth in confidence we are seeing expressed by North Bay residents to ensure that they have outstanding healthcare options right here at home."

An array of state-of-the-art diagnostic services and treatments for heart and vascular disease are offered through the Haynes Cardiovascular Institute at Marin General Hospital, which includes an Accredited Chest Pain Center. The Institute also provides leading-edge treatment for atrial fibrillation, including pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Now featured in the EP Lab are:

• CARTO 3 Navigation System from Biosense Webster, a worldwide leader in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. This 3D imaging system allows physicians to visualize cardiac anatomy in detail, to better prescribe atrial fibrillation (A-fib) treatment, as well as that for nearly all arrhythmia types. 
• GE Innova Cardiovascular Imaging System with a GE CardioLab EP recording system, a flat panel cardiac X-ray system that delivers the highest image quality at the lowest possible X-ray dose (up to 80 percent reduction from conventional technology). The recording system will integrate all EP navigation and treatment systems, including a MicroPace cardiac stimulator, for improved diagnosis and procedure management.