Vancouver General Hospital first in Canada to perform new heart procedure for irregular heartbeat
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation announced that, through the generous donation made by Greg Wolfe, the Foundation was able to fully fund the purchase of a Medtronic PulseSelect pulsed field ablation system, enabling Vancouver General Hospital (VGH) to become the first hospital in Canada to perform a Health Canada-approved pulsed field ablation procedure. Pulsed field ablation is a revolutionary procedure to treat atrial fibrillation (AF). The first procedure utilizing the new system to treat AF took place in April 2024, and more than 200 procedures have taken place at Vancouver General Hospital since then.
AF is a common irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, and even heart failure, affecting as many as one million Canadians and 60 million people worldwide. Traditionally, some cases of AF required ablations that use heat or freezing to block the faulty heart signals and restore a typical heartbeat. Pulsed field ablation instead uses high energy electric pulses, a non-thermal approach that requires less time in the heart and reduces collateral damage to surrounding structures. For patients with AF, this means fewer complications, shorter waitlists, and, ultimately, improved access to care. With the pulsed field ablation system funded by Wolfe’s donation to VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, Vancouver General Hospital will be able to treat nearly twice as many patients per day.
“This is an exciting advancement for cardiac care in British Columbia,” said Dr. Jason Andrade, director of Electrophysiology and the Atrial Fibrillation Clinic at Vancouver General Hospital. “Pulsed field ablation offers a safer, faster, and more controlled approach to treating atrial fibrillation, minimizing damage to surrounding heart structures and giving more patients access to this life-saving technology.”
Wolfe, who lives with AF, sought innovative treatment options, leading him to Dr. Andrade, a world-renowned leader in AF management. This journey ultimately introduced him to a groundbreaking new technology with the potential to transform care for people with AF. Wolfe has paroxysmal AF, a form of the condition where symptoms come and go.
“I first realized something was wrong while playing hockey. Initially, I thought it was just cramping and dehydration, but then it happened again - game after game. I also wake up around 2 a.m. with my heart beating irregularly, making it impossible to fall back asleep,” Wolfe shared. “That said, I am not in urgent need of an ablation, unlike those who experience symptoms 24/7, which I can only imagine would be unbearable. I am thrilled to see Dr. Andrade’s expertise, combined with the most advanced ablation technology, helping more people find relief from this often overlooked yet debilitating condition.”
Through his donation, Wolfe hopes to achieve two key goals.
“First, I want to help others living with AF by accelerating the adoption of pulsed field ablation technology across the province - and ideally, the country. This would allow more patients to access life-changing care without requiring additional doctors or nurses,” said Wolfe, a longtime member of Vancouver’s tech community and currently the Chief Commercial Officer at Boomi Inc., a global Enterprise Software company with a rapidly expanding Vancouver presence. ”Second, I want to inspire others in the private sector to drive change by supporting the integration of modern technologies into the healthcare system through philanthropy. Without private investment, we risk falling behind the rest of the world in adopting groundbreaking medical innovations.”
In addition to this recent contribution, Wolfe has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the early adoption of modern medical technologies, including AI-based imaging for colorectal cancer screening.
“None of this would be possible without the incredible generosity of Mr. Wolfe and VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation’s dedication to our community’s well-being,” Dr. Andrade added. “We are immensely grateful for their commitment to enabling novel solutions to treat people living with atrial fibrillation, and for partnering on our journey towards better health and a brighter future.”
Vancouver Coastal Health’s Vancouver General Hospital is a globally recognized leader in AF management and one of B.C.’s top referral sites for the condition. With philanthropic support, Vancouver General Hospital was the first in North America to treat AF with a novel cryoablation balloon catheter, setting a new standard of care. Dr. Andrade’s team has also led groundbreaking research that has transformed AF treatment.
“At VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, we are committed to accelerating medical innovation and building healthier communities in British Columbia through the power of philanthropy," said Angela Chapman, President and CEO of VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation. "Thanks to Greg Wolfe's generosity, our beneficiaries at Vancouver General Hospital can offer the most advanced procedures like pulsed field ablation – expanding access to life-saving care, improving patient outcomes, and ensuring our world-class hospitals remain at the forefront of medical excellence.”
“If you look at North American data, there are much higher rates of atrial fibrillation than in other parts of the world,” said Dr. Andrade. In the general population, the rate has risen from one per cent to three per cent in recent years. In people over age 80, the rate of AF can be as high as 10 per cent.
Facts:
– One in three adults over the age of 45 will develop AF
– $10 billion spent each year in the U.S. on AF care
– People living with AF are:
Two times higher risk of death
Five times higher risk of heart failure
Five times higher risk of stroke
About VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation
VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation is Vancouver Coastal Health‘s primary philanthropic partner, raising funds for specialized adult health services and research for all British Columbians. We partner with donors to drive innovation and sustainable health care at VGH, UBC Hospital, GF Strong Rehab Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, and Vancouver Community Health Services. Together, we deliver a healthy continuum of care – from research to patient care, rehabilitation, and community health services. For more information, please visit vghfoundation.ca.