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Better Options for Treating Glaucoma Presented by Igor Bussel, MD, Cataract and Glaucoma Specialist In-person presentation Tuesday, October 22, 6-7 p.m. Dry Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Presented by Jeffrey Tsao, MD, Comprehensive Ophthalmology In-person presentation Tuesday, October 29, noon–1 p.m. Wellness and Cooking Classes Estrogen: The Good, the Bad & the Lifestyle Changes to Make an Impact Presented by Lynne Romancia, Registered Dietitian Online presentation Wednesday, September 25, 5:30–6:30 p.m. Cooking Class: Cooking with Cucurbita (Squash) Presented by Lynne Romancia, Registered Dietitian In-person presentation Thursday, October 17, noon–1 p.m. Space is very limited. There is a non- refundable fee of $20 to cover food cost. Virtual Cooking Class: Festive Finger Foods Presented by Megan Wroe, Registered Dietitian Online presentation Wednesday, November 6, noon–1 p.m. New Solution for Atrial Fibrillation For decades, thermal energy—both heat and cold—has been used to treat atrial fibrillation (afib). A breakthrough ablation technology uses a new type of energy—pulsed electric fields—to offer patients successful outcomes with fewer complications. Unlike the two current methods of treatment, radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation, pulsed field ablation (PFA) uses shorts bursts of high energy to interrupt the irregular electric signals that trigger atrial fibrillation and restore a regular heartbeat. "It's a paradigm shift in afib treatment that combines high rates of clinical success with a ver y low complication rate," says Danny Lee, MD, medical director of Providence St. Jude Electrophysiology Lab. " The advantage over current ablation technologies is the ability to more selectively create lesions in cardiac tissue, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding structures." Atrial fibrillation is a common hear t arrhythmia, in which the upper chambers of the hear t or atria beat ver y rapidly and irregularly, compromising the heart 's ability to pump blood to the rest of the body. Symptoms include dizziness, hear t palpitations and fatigue or weakness. Left untreated, afib increases stroke risk by three to five times. The hospital's electrophysiologists became early adopters of PFA, which was approved by the FDA at the end of 2023 and is being called one of the most significant advances in catheter ablation in decades. Like other ablation techniques, PFA's minimally invasive approach involves passing a catheter through the groin's femoral artery to the heart, where tiny lesions are created to block the irregular signals causing afib. But its ability to ablate heart tissue while avoiding damage to the esophagus, blood vessels and nerves creates a safer procedure for patients. "PFA's use of tissue-selective, non-thermal electric fields offers patients the benefits of reduced risk, outstanding outcomes and less time under anesthesia," says Dr. Lee, a board-certified cardiologist and electrophysiologist. "All reasons why it 's expected to become the standard of care for afib and possibly other arrhythmias." To find a physician who is right for you, go to providence.org/doctors. Health Matters: Providence St. Jude Medical Center | 7

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