Forrest Health Reaches Milestone with 500 Advanced AFib Procedures in Less Than a Year

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (April 13, 2026) In less than a year, electrophysiologists at Forrest Health have completed more than 500 procedures using Medtronic’s Affera Mapping and Ablation System – expanding access to faster, more precise treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) close to home while positioning the program as a regional leader.

Electrophysiologists Diego Alcivar, MD, FACC, and Mark Borganelli, MD, FACC, focus on treating AFib, a condition in which the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, causing a fast, irregular rhythm in the upper chambers of the heart. Instead of coordinated signals, the heart produces multiple impulses at once, reducing its ability to pump blood effectively.

“AFib is more than just an irregular heartbeat. It can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life and increase the risk of serious complications like stroke,” said Dr. Alcivar. “That’s why early diagnosis and effective treatment are so important.”

AFib is a growing global health concern, affecting more than 60 million people worldwide and increasing the need for effective, accessible treatment options.

The system is especially beneficial for patients who are resistant to anti-arrhythmic medications and need a safe and effective treatment option.

“For patients who haven’t responded to medication, this offers an effective option to improve symptoms and quality of life,” said Dr. Alcivar. “It also allows more patients to access advanced care close to home.”

The Affera system represents a significant advancement in care, allowing physicians to both map and treat abnormal electrical activity using a single catheter. Mapping visualizes the heart’s electrical signals, while ablation creates small areas of scar tissue to block those causing irregular rhythms.

By combining both functions, the technology improves precision, efficiency, and safety.

This milestone reflects rapid growth since the program’s first case in June 2025. By August, demand had increased so quickly that a second system was added, allowing the team to expand capacity and treat more patients safely and efficiently.

“Dr. Alcivar and Dr. Borganelli have completed 500 cases using Affera and Sphere-9 technology for atrial fibrillation,” said Donna Holloway, EP Mapping Specialist at Medtronic. “This achievement reflects a commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, and advancing the standard of care in electrophysiology.”

The impact is also seen in procedure times and patient access. Procedures that once took three to four hours can now often be completed in about an hour or less. This efficiency allows physicians to treat more patients each day and reduce wait times.

“Where we used to do one or two cases a day, we can now do three, four, even five,” said Dr. Borganelli. “Backlogs that once stretched for months are now coming down, which is a huge benefit for patients.”

The program’s growth has also expanded access to care for higher-risk patients.

“For patients who were previously considered too high-risk for ablation, we’re now able to offer this treatment safely,” said Dr. Alcivar. “That’s been a major step forward.”

In addition to patient care, Forrest Health has become a leader in training and innovation.

“Physicians from across the country are coming here to learn,” said Dr. Alcivar. “We’re proud to see those trained in our lab go on to contribute at a high level, reflecting the quality of work happening here.”

“No one can touch our volume,” Borganelli said. “While some programs perform a few dozen ablations, we’ve completed 500 in less than a year. We’ve even had physicians from larger facilities in the state come here to observe and learn from our team.”

The program’s success is also benefiting the broader healthcare system and community in meaningful ways.

“The community and the hospital benefit from this tremendously,” said Dr. Borganelli. “We’re delivering safer, faster care and improving access at the same time.”

Patients with AFib may experience fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Risk factors include high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and obesity. If left untreated, AFib can lead to serious complications such as stroke or heart failure.

Advancements like the Affera system are helping change that outlook – offering patients shorter procedures, faster recovery times, and, in many cases, the ability to return home in a day or two.

“Most importantly, this technology is helping us deliver better care to the people who need it most,” said Dr. Alcivar.