HaysMed Establishes Comprehensive Ablate-and-Close Program for Patients With A‑Fib

HaysMed continues to advance cardiac care in western Kansas with the establishment of its comprehensive ablate-and-close concomitant procedure service for patients with Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib). Since performing the first procedure in July 2025, the program has grown into a regularly offered treatment option.

Led by Dr. Jacob Morgan, cardiac electrophysiologist at the HaysMed DeBakey Heart Institute, with support from interventional cardiologist Dr. Travis Haneke and the Cath Lab team, the service reflects HaysMed’s ongoing commitment to providing cutting-edge, coordinated cardiac therapies close to home.

This procedure combines two advanced therapies into a single session: catheter ablation, which corrects abnormal heart rhythms, and implantation of the Watchman device, which helps prevent stroke by closing off the left atrial appendage. Known as a concomitant procedure, this approach offers patients fewer procedures, reduced anesthesia exposure, and a faster recovery in one coordinated treatment.

Traditionally, patients with A-Fib might undergo these two procedures separately, requiring multiple hospital visits, two rounds of anesthesia, and longer recovery times. This “ablate and close” concomitant procedure streamlines care by performing both treatments in a single session, offering several key benefits.

“This is a game-changer for our patients,” said Dr. Morgan. “By combining these procedures, we’re not only improving convenience and comfort, but also enhancing safety and long-term outcomes.”

Ablate‑and‑close care team members, including the HaysMed DeBakey Heart Institute and Cath Lab teams

The DeBakey Heart Institute at HaysMed is one of the only providers between Kansas City and Denver offering this advanced treatment option, making it a vital resource for patients across Western Kansas and surrounding regions. Combining these advanced therapies joins a growing list of innovative cardiac treatments available at the DeBakey Heart Institute, including:

Pulse Field Ablation (PFA)
Combined PFA Ablation with Watchman – a leading-edge approach offering both rhythm control and stroke protection for A-Fib patients
Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacements (TAVRs)
Shockwave Javelin procedure
Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) closure

HaysMed has a dedicated electrophysiology (EP) service within the DeBakey Heart Institute, led by Dr. Morgan. While this level of specialty care is uncommon in a rural hospital setting, it ensures that patients throughout western Kansas have access to advanced cardiac treatment without needing to travel far from home.

Dr. Morgan and the care team who performed HaysMed’s first pulse field ablation

Electrophysiology focuses on the heart’s electrical system and treats conditions such as irregular heartbeats and atrial fibrillation. Supported by a state-of-the-art hybrid operating room, HaysMed is equipped to perform complex procedures, including cardiac ablations and pacemaker or defibrillator implantations, with both advanced imaging and surgical capabilities integrated into one environment.

HaysMed Establishes Comprehensive Ablate-and-Close Program for Patients With A‑Fib

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