Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute Team First in Region to Offer Minimally Invasive Hybrid Convergent Ablation Procedure for Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

Baptist Health Care’s comprehensive heart and vascular team is the first in the region to offer the Convergent Procedure, an innovative new hybrid treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation, (AF) a serious medical condition characterized by an irregular and often rapid heartbeat. The convergent procedure is a minimally-invasive approach that combines the best of electrophysiology (EP) and cardiac surgery treatments to help restore normal heart rhythm for patients with atrial fibrillation, including patients with structural heart disease who may have previously failed one or more other treatments.

The procedure combines surgical and catheter ablation procedures in bringing together the best of both electrophysiology (EP) and cardiac surgical techniques in a single setting (the electrophysiology lab). It offers new quality of life options for patients suffering with atrial fibrillation by restoring a normal sinus rhythm. It is the only truly minimally-invasive option combined with a closed chest surgical ablation approach that offers complete, visible cardiac access to the posterior surface of a beating heart, where atrial fibrillation is known to originate.

The procedure was performed at Baptist Hospital by James Lonquist, M.D., F.A.C.S., cardiothoracic surgeon of Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute and the electrophysiology team. "This procedure utilizes a multi-disciplinary approach combining a minimally invasive surgical procedure followed by catheter ablation in one setting. A major advantage of the surgery component is the trans-diaphragmatic approach using three tiny incisions in the abdomen. This allows direct visualization of the back of the heart while avoiding chest incisions." shared Dr. Lonquist.

Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute is committed to offering patients the latest advancements in arrhythmia services. We’re proud to have the distinction of being the first in the region to offer the convergent procedure. Baptist Health Care is home to the Baptist Heart Rhythm Center, a multidisciplinary comprehensive center with exclusive focus on the treatment of atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmia conditions.


  For more information about the Hybrid Convergent Procedure or to make an appointment, please call 850.484.6500.