Dr. Kevin Rist

Dr. Kevin Rist, MD, PhD of Aspirus Heart & Vascular has performed an implant of Abbott’s Gallant™ implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). It is the first time the new ICD has been successfully implanted in Wisconsin.
The ICD features Bluetooth technology and a secure smartphone app for continuous remote monitoring. The app helps streamline communication between patients and their doctors. It also provides access to data which helps patients take an active role in their healthcare. Through the app, physicians can continuously monitor their patient’s heart leading to timely communication and treatment plans.
“Being able to connect remotely with my patients and their health data through a secure smartphone app is revolutionary and will enable me to better communicate with my patients on their treatment plans,” Dr. Rist said. “This life-changing technology will impact patient care in a meaningful way.”
It is estimated that as many as 6.1 million people in the United States battle cardiac arrhythmias, or abnormal heart rhythms. ICDs are often recommended to help reduce the risks of life-threatening arrhythmias. For patients with heart failure or in situations when the heart’s chambers beat out of sync, ICDs can be used to restore the heart’s natural pattern of beating.

About Aspirus Health Care System– Aspirus is a non-profit, community-directed health system based in Wausau, Wisconsin. Its 8,700 employees are focused on improving the health and well-being of people throughout Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. Aspirus serves communities through four hospitals in Michigan and six hospitals in Wisconsin, 50 clinics, home health and hospice care, pharmacies, critical care and air-medical transport, medical goods, nursing homes and a broad network of physicians. Aspirus has been recognized for three consecutive years by IBM Watson Health as a Top 15 Health System in its annual study identifying the top-performing health systems in the country. For more information, visit aspirus.org.