North Alabama Medial Center Completes EP Cardiology Procedure on 700th Patient

FLORENCE – The Cardiac Catheterization Lab at North Alabama Medical Center reached another milestone on Tuesday, June, 18th, by completing a cardiac electrophysiology (EP) procedure on its 700th Patient. Tom McElderry, Jr., MD, performed a cardiac ablation on NAMC cardiac patient, Vernon Russ.

“Everything went smoothly,” said Russ, who was discharged the same day. “I was happy with the attention I received as well as the ability for the doctors and nurses to explain every step of the procedure to me throughout the entire process.”

A cardiac ablation, also known as catheter ablation or radiofrequency ablation, is a procedure that treats irregular heart rhythms, also known as arrhythmias. During the procedure, a flexible tube called a catheter is guided through the veins or arteries into the heart. Heat or cold energy is then used to create small scars in the heart that block faulty signals that cause abnormal heartbeats.

North Alabama Medical Center began performing cardiac electrophysiology procedures in 2017 and plans to expand the service line with the addition of a second EP cardiologist later this summer.

“I’m proud that this service is allowing people to stay in the Shoals for the treatment,” said Dr. McElderry, who has performed every EP procedure at NAMC. “This means 700 patients and families didn’t have to travel hours away, which is a relief for those patients. We look forward to expanding the service line in the very near future.”

NAMC is the only hospital in northwest Alabama that provides cardiac electrophysiology.

“We are the only hospital offering this service line in a 70-mile radius,” said Ricky Williams, director of NAMC’s cath lab. “If someone from this area is in immediate need, the only other options would be to drive to Huntsville, Birmingham or Nashville.”

For more information about cardiac care at NAMC or to take a free health assessment, visit www.NAMCCares.com/cardiology.