Overland Park Regional cardiology team first in the world offering AFib device

Overland Park, Kan. — The cardiology team at Overland Park Regional Medical Center, led by DJ Lakkireddy, M.D., board-certified, fellowship-trained electrophysiologist, Medical Director of Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute at HCA Midwest Health, was the first in the world this week to successfully implant Assert-IQ™ ICM, an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) designed with advanced algorithms to detect irregular heartbeats and provide clinically actionable data. Irregular heartbeats — known as arrhythmias — may be fleeting, making diagnosis challenging in many patients. ICMs — small devices with sensors implanted just under the skin of the chest — are designed to provide constant, real-time monitoring of a patient’s heart to detect and identify arrhythmias.

“The Assert-IQ ICM is groundbreaking for both patients and physicians as we work to improve diagnoses of irregular heart rhythms. Since the device is similar in length to a AAA battery — though much thinner — patients can go about their daily lives, enjoying the activities they love and the ICM does the work,” said Dr. DJ Lakkireddy, Medical Director of the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute at HCA Midwest Health. “With Assert-IQ ICM’s intelligent technology, it can detect even hard-to-spot irregularities and help physicians determine a treatment course. The improved electrograms clarity and how the data can be displayed for clinical teams is impressive and also designed to support and improve the workflow in the clinic.”

Overland Park Regional Medical Center is part of HCA Midwest Health — Kansas City’s largest healthcare provider.

“This new technology is another testament to Overland Park Regional Medical Center’s commitment to providing safe and advanced ways to address complex heart diseases,” said CEO Matt Sogard, FACHE. “We are proud our team’s passion to seek out innovations that help improve the lives of our community members.”

“I am so grateful to have had this procedure by Dr. Lakkireddy and the care of his team,” said Dale Davies of Raymore, Missouri. “I am honored to be the first in the world to benefit from this new device. I’ve lived with heart issues for 23 years and with proper treatment along the way, I have gotten along very well. But now I feel great — and it’s freeing to be able to do what I want to do, when I want to do it, without being worried. I can better caretake for my wife, and get back to walking my rescue dog, Buddy.”

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat out of coordination with the lower chambers (ventricles) and contract rapidly and irregularly — from 350 to 600 times per minute compared to a normal heart rhythm of 60 to 100 times per minute. AFib is the most common kind of arrhythmia. It is caused by electrical impulses that misfire, causing the top chambers, or atria, to quiver or flutter and can lead to blood clots, stroke, and heart failure.

For more information about HCA Midwest Health’s heart and vascular care, services and advanced technology, visit their website.