Saint Joseph Hospital Among First in Lexington to Use New Implantable Defibrillator - Archived

Lexington, Ky. (March 25, 2014)  -- Saint Joseph Hospital, part of KentuckyOne Health, is the first hospital in Lexington to offer the first subcutaneous implantable defibrillator (S-ICD), a new technology for treating patients at risk for sudden cardiac arrest.

 

The Boston Scientific S-ICD^® System is the first of its kind. While other implantable devices are available, they require the use of wires, known as leads, to be placed into the heart itself. This less invasive technology is merely implanted just below the skin and leaves the heart and blood vessels untouched.

 

“This is just another advancement that we’re able to offer as leading heart care provider in the state,” said Sameh Lamiy, M.D. electrophysiologist with KentuckyOne Health Cardiology Associates. “Devices like this allow us to help those at risk for sudden cardiac arrest before it happens, which will help save lives.”

 

Dr. Lamiy completed the first S-ICD implant at Saint Joseph Hospital on February 20, 2014.  Jeff Schoen, M.D. electrophysiologist with KentuckyOne Health Cardiology Associates also performs the implants as well.

 

Sudden cardiac arrest is an abrupt loss of heart function.  Most episodes are caused by the rapid and/or chaotic activity of the heart known as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.  Recent estimates show that approximately 500,000 people in the United States are at risk of sudden cardiac arrest and some could benefit from a device such as the S-ICD.

 

The S-ICD System has two main components: a pulse generator and an electrode.  The electrode allows the system to sense the cardiac rhythm and provides a pathway for a shock if the rhythm is interrupted. The pulse generator, which powers the system, monitors the heart’s activity and delivers the shock if needed. Both components are implanted just under the skin—the generator at the side of the chest, and the electrode beside the breastbone.

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted regulatory approval for the S-ICD System in September of 2012.  To date, more than 2,000 devices have been implanted in patients around the world.

 

About KentuckyOne Health
KentuckyOne Health was formed when two major Kentucky health care organizations came together in early 2012. KentuckyOne Health combines the Jewish and Catholic heritages of the two former systems – Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare and Saint Joseph Health System. In late 2012, the organization formed a partnership with the University of Louisville Hospital | James Graham Brown Cancer Center.  The nonprofit system is committed to improving the health of Kentuckians by integrating medical research, education, technology and health care services wherever patients receive care. KentuckyOne Health has more than 200 locations including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies across the state of Kentucky and southern Indiana. KentuckyOne Health is the largest health system in Kentucky.

 

###