Southlake Regional Health Centre is setting new benchmarks that will bring leading edge cardiac care to the forefront of Ontario’s healthcare landscape. With a steadfast commitment to excellence, Southlake is not only elevating the standards of cardiac care, but also spearheading innovative medical procedures and expanding its reach with new clinics.

Elevating cardiac care

Southlake, which is home to the Regional Cardiac Care Program, is no stranger to innovation. Over the years, some of the best clinicians, nurses and medical staff have made significant advancements in cardiac care at the hospital. Building on those lessons, Southlake is taking what it has learned to strengthen care across the region.

In recent months, Southlake has enhanced its cardiac care capabilities by expanding the scope of the program to ensure it continues to meet the needs of Southlake’s patients and partners. One of the first steps was appointing Christopher Overgaard, MD, as Southlake’s first Chief, Department of Cardiac Health. 

“We want to better own our role to improve the system as a true regional partner committed to working in a collaborative manner to deliver leading edge care,” said Dr. Overgaard, Chief, Department of Cardiac Health, Southlake. “In this new role, I will work together with members of the program and our partners in the community to elevate the Regional Cardiac Care Program to ensure that patients in some of Ontario’s fastest growing communities have access to innovative, life-saving care when they need it most.”

First-in-Ontario medical procedure

With a renewed focus on elevating cardiac care, the dedicated team at Southlake has thrived, pioneering new procedures that will improve patient experiences and care. In a recent, ground-breaking achievement, Southlake successfully performed a first-in-Ontario medical procedure that represented a significant leap forward in the treatment of atrial
fibrillation (AF). 

AF, a common and serious heart rhythm disorder, has seen significant advancements in treatment options, thanks to emerging ablation technologies. Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA), is at the forefront of these developments, offering new hope for patients.

PFA involves delivering electric fields to ablate or disrupt cardiac tissues through irreversible electroporation. This process induces electric fields that alter cellular membrane potentials, redistributing charged species and disrupting cell membrane integrity. As a result, the targeted cells undergo apoptosis and die, leading to a controlled and precise ablation process.

Southlake has pioneered the clinical use of Farapulse PFA, becoming the first centre to use this technology in Ontario. With this new technology, Southlake has seen a reduction in procedure times from one hour to just under 30 minutes over the first seven procedures. Additional elements of the procedure have also found enhanced safety and efficiencies. 

“Pulsed Field Ablation represents a significant advancement in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, offering precision, safety, and efficiency,” said Yaariv Khaykin, MD, Electrophysiologist, Southlake.  “As more clinical data emerges and technology evolves, PFA could become the preferred method for AF ablation, providing better outcomes for patients worldwide.”

This pioneering procedure demonstrates Southlake’s leadership in adopting innovative medical solutions and enhancing patient care. 

Opening of a new cardio-oncology clinic

Southlake’s advancements in cardiac care also go beyond new procedures. The organization is delivering leading edge care, close to home with the opening of a new Cardio-Oncology Clinic. The clinic, a joint effort by Southlake’s Regional Cardiac and Cancer Programs, represents an important improvement in access to integrated cardio-oncology care, which was previously unavailable in this region. 

The clinic will help patients with suspected or confirmed cardiac complications because of cancer treatment, those needing evaluation before cancer therapy or stem cell transplants, long-term heart monitoring for childhood cancer survivors, and other cases referred by oncologists. Led by Andrew Elagizi, MD, a cardiologist who subspecializes in the management of cardiac complications from cancer treatment, this clinic ensures patients receive the care they need, close to home.

Southlake’s unwavering dedication to elevating cardiac care, pioneering medical procedures, and expanding its reach with new clinics underscores its role as a leader in Ontario’s healthcare sector. These advancements not only enhance patient care but also set new standards for medical excellence in the region.

By Danae Theakston
Danae Theakston is a Communications Strategist at Southlake.