NCH Rooney Heart Institute Leads Groundbreaking Cardiac Ablation Technology

NCH Rooney Heart Institute Leads Successful Clinical Trial for Groundbreaking Cardiac Ablation Technology

Dinesh Sharma, MD, Electrophysiologist

The NCH Rooney Heart Institute has successfully completed a clinical trial of the Affera™ Mapping and Ablation System featuring the Sphere-9™ Catheter, a next-generation technology designed to enhance the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and other complex cardiac arrhythmias. NCH is one of only two sites in the state offering this groundbreaking technology. The trial, led by Dinesh Sharma, MD, demonstrated the system’s safety and effectiveness, marking a significant advancement in electrophysiology care.

Affera’s innovative platform integrates high-density mapping with dual-energy ablation capabilities, offering both pulsed field (PF) and radiofrequency (RF) energies. This dual-energy approach allows for more precise, patient-specific treatment, improving outcomes and procedural efficiency.

“We are thrilled to have been part of this groundbreaking trial,” said Dinesh Sharma, MD, electrophysiologist at the NCH Rooney Heart Institute. “The Affera system’s ability to seamlessly combine mapping and dual-energy ablation represents a major step forward in treating patients with persistent AF. Our results showed significant improvements in procedural efficiency and patient recovery, reinforcing NCH’s commitment to offering cutting-edge cardiac care.”

The trial’s success further establishes the NCH Rooney Heart Institute as a leader in advanced heart rhythm treatments and emphasizes the importance of this milestone for both patients and the field of electrophysiology.

Dr. Robert Cubeddu M.D. President of the Rooney Heart Institute at NCH.

“This technology has the potential to redefine how we approach atrial fibrillation treatment,” said Robert Cubeddu, MD, president of the NCH Rooney Heart Institute. “We are proud to have played a role in this clinical trial and to continue our mission of bringing world-class, innovative cardiac care to our community.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the Affera Mapping and Ablation System with the Sphere-9™ Catheter, reinforcing the positive outcomes seen in clinical trials, including those conducted at NCH. For more information on the NCH Rooney Heart Institute and its commitment to advancing cardiovascular care, visit NCHMD.org.

About NCH
NCH (Naples Comprehensive Health) is an Advanced Community Healthcare System™ serving Southwest Florida with premier routine, critical, and specialty care. NCH, a locally governed non-profit, is recognized as one of Healthgrades America’s Top 50 Hospitals which puts it in the top 1% in the nation for clinical excellence, in addition to being named a Top 50 Hospital for Surgical Care. The system is more than just two hospitals (referred to as the NCH Baker Hospital and NCH North Hospital) with a total of 713 beds – NCH is an alliance of over 1,100 physicians and medical facilities in dozens of locations throughout Southwest Florida and is the region’s only Joint Commission accredited Comprehensive Stroke Center. NCH cardiac care is ranked top-3 in the state by Healthgrades. NCH collaborates with the Hospital for Special Surgery for orthopedics, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital for pediatrics, and ProScan Imaging for radiology services, ensuring top-tier medical care is available in Southwest Florida. With the largest provider network, urgent/immediate care centers, diagnostic facilities, and two hospitals, NCH is always advancing the quality of care near you. For more information, visit www.NCHmd.org.