4/06/2026
The CHRISTUS Health Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital in Tyler is one of the first sites in the nation to enroll patients in the Boston Scientific OPTIMIZE trial, a groundbreaking study using artificial intelligence (AI) combined with pulsed field ablation to treat atrial fibrillation.
This milestone highlights the hospital’s commitment to advancing cardiovascular care and expanding access to innovative treatments for patients across East Texas.
“New treatments can oftentimes take many years to develop and gain approval from the FDA and other regulatory agencies,” said Dr. Stan Weiner, electrophysiologist at CHRISTUS Health in Tyler. “When we participate in clinical trials like this it allows us to offer new treatments to patients many years before they are available to the general public.”
This is the first global, randomized study of pulsed field ablation together with electrographic flow (EGF) mapping, a new technology using AI that identifies sources of atrial fibrillation. It aims to better pinpoint affected areas outside the pulmonary veins, leading to superior results over traditional anatomical ablation.
Pulsed field ablation is an emerging technology that uses controlled electrical pulses, rather than heat or cold, to treat irregular heart rhythms. This approach is designed to selectively affect cardiac tissue while reducing potential damage to nearby structures, offering a safer and more efficient option for patients.
Participation in the OPTIMIZE trial places CHRISTUS Health among a select group of institutions nationwide leading the way in cardiac innovation. For patients in rural and underserved communities throughout East Texas, access to this level of advanced care closer to home is especially significant.
“Atrial fibrillation is a very common arrhythmia that impacts a very large number of patients,” Weiner said. “The OPTIMIZE trial utilizes AI to help us find ablation targets in patients in more advanced cases, offering us another tool to use in treatment of atrial fibrillation.”
As heart rhythm disorders continue to impact millions of Americans, CHRISTUS Health remains focused on bringing the latest research and technology to the bedside, ensuring patients receive high-quality, cutting-edge care without the need to travel far.
