Electrophysiology Program at Bassett Offers Cryoablation and Wireless Pacemakers as Treatment Options

James Storey, MD, and Victoria "Tori" Dow, PA, joined Bassett last year to re-establish Bassett's electrophysiology (EP) program. Electrophysiologists deal with abnormal rhythm problems of the heart and are often called "electricians" of the heart. 

Storey predominantly performs cryoablation, using extreme cold to cause scarring that fixes an abnormal heart rhythm. Ablation therapy treats heart rhythm problems and eliminates the need for medications. After pinpointing the area of the heart causing the arrhythmia, the problem can be treated by ablating (destroying) the arrhythmic tissue.  

"The cryo method is generally faster, patients experience less post-op pain, and there tend to be fewer admissions or recurrences after the procedure," says Storey.  

The EP team has also begun implanting new wireless pacemakers. The traditional pacemaker is placed in the top left of the chest and has leads that go from the pacemaker generator down into the heart. "The new wireless pacemaker is the size of a capsule and implanted through the femoral vein in the groin, so there is no incision," says Storey. "The patient still must stay overnight, but they have fewer restrictions that come with having a traditional pacemaker implanted." 

For patients who are able to have a wire-free device, studies have shown lower complication rates than for traditional pacemakers. When complications occur, it's often due to an infection caused by the wires.  
The EP program is also expanding in the network, and Dow has been seeing patients with pacemakers at Fox Hospital, Little Falls Hospital and Cobleskill Regional Hospital.

Storey says one of the most exciting things about being at Bassett is the strength and dedication of the EP team, including the anesthesia, EP lab, recovery room and cardiology staff. 

Storey came to Bassett from Arnot Ogden in Elmira, where he was chief of the EP program. He has 16 years of experience as an electrophysiologist, and a little over a decade with a large cardiology practice in Mobile, Ala. Dow has 20 years of EP experience. She came to Bassett from Champlain Valley Physicians' Hospital (CVPH) in Plattsburgh. Prior to that, Dow spent more than a decade with Capital Cardiology Associates in Albany where she helped establish EP and implantable cardiac device clinics.