Landmark trial at St. Vincent's Medical Center

A cardiology team at St. Vincent’s Medical Center became the first in New England to complete procedures as part of a landmark national trial to help people suffering from high resting heart rate, a condition called inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST).

The medical center is part of the Hybrid Epicardial and Endocardial Sinus Node Sparing Ablation Therapy for Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (HEAL-IST) trial, which was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Medical teams are evaluating use of a sinus node sparing hybrid ablation procedure as treatment of IST, which can cause patient heart rates to soar above 100 beats per minute even at rest.

Two successful minimally invasive procedures were collaboratively completed by Drs. Daniel Fusco, cardiothoracic surgeon, and Joseph Tiano, cardiac electrophysiologist, this summer at SVMC.

IST is believed to stem from the nervous system disorder dysautonomia, a sinus node problem or both. The HEAL-IST trial will determine if sinus node sparing hybrid ablation can safely and effectively reduce elevated heart rates and improve quality of life in patients who have not had success or cannot tolerate other treatments. Almost 150 patients in 40 clinical sites worldwide will be enrolled in the study.

In addition to an elevated heart rate, IST can cause abnormally high heart rate spikes of the heart rate during mild exertion, palpitations, lightheadedness, loss of consciousness, inability to sit up straight, chest pain/pressure and feeling out of breath.

IST affects about 1% of the population, mainly young females. It is commonly misdiagnosed as panic attacks and mental or emotional disorders.

Learn more about the Heart & Vascular Institute at St. Vincent's Medical Center