Halo 90, Halo 360

If you have diabetes, ask your regular doctor for diet and medication restrictions.
If you take a medication to thin your blood and have not already discussed this with our office, please call us at 612-871-1145.
If you are or may be pregnant, please discuss the risks and benefits of this procedure with your doctor.
You must arrange for a ride for the day of your exam. If you fail to arrange transportation with a responsible adult, your procedure will need to be cancelled and rescheduled.
If you must cancel or reschedule your appointment, please call 612-871-1145 as soon as possible.

PREPARATION
To ensure a successful exam, please follow all instructions carefully.

Before your procedure:
Fill out the enclosed Health History form to bring with you on the day of your appointment.

1 day before your procedure:
• Do not eat solid foods after midnight.
• Clear liquids are permitted, such as water, clear broth and apple juice.
• Do not drink red liquids or alcoholic beverages.

The day of your procedure:
6 hours before your procedure:
• Discontinue clear liquids.
• Take any oral medications you normally take at your usual time. If it is within 6 hours of your exam, drink only enough water to swallow your medication.

When you leave for the procedure:
• Bring a list of all of your current medications, including any allergy or over-the-counter medications.
• Bring a photo ID as well as up-to-date insurance information, such as your insurance card and any referral forms that might be required by your payer.
• Co-pays are required on the day of your appointment.

DESCRIPTION OF HALO 90, HALO 360

What is a Halo procedure?

Halo is a procedure that uses radio frequency (RF) energy delivered to a specific area in the esophagus where Barrett’s esophagus exists. Barrett’s Esophagus is a condition in which the esophagus changes so that some of the esophageal lining is replaced by a type of tissue similar to that normally found in the intestine. This change can sometimes lead to cancer of the esophagus.

During the Halo procedure, RF energy will destroy the Barrett’s cells without destroying the normal tissue in the deeper layers of the esophagus. The esophagus is expanded by a balloon and the RF energy heats the Barrett's cells and destroys them allowing healthy new tissue to grow in place.

What should I expect during the Halo procedure?

Plan to spend up to 2 hours at the endoscopy center. The procedure itself takes about 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

Before the procedure:
• You will changes into a gown and robe
• You will be asked about your medical history
• You will be given a consent form to sign
• A nurse will insert an intravenous (IV) line into your hand or arms.

During the procedure:
• You will be given a mild sedative of anesthesia to help you relax
• Your throat will be sprayed with an anesthetic
• You will lie on your side on an exam table
• Your heart rate and oxygen levels will be monitored
• The doctor will carefully advance a flexible, hollow tube, called an endoscope, through your esophagus to the area of the abnormal Barrett’s cells.
• You may have a feeling of pressure or fullness.
• The Halo device will be passed through the endoscope to treat the Barrett’s cells.
• Once abnormal cells are eliminated, healthy new tissue will grow in its place.

What should I expect after the procedure?
• You will rest for 30 to 60 minutes after the procedure
• The doctor will talk with you about the results of your Halo procedure before you leave the endoscopy center
• A nurse will provide you with written discharge instructions to take home with you
• Your throat may feel sore, and it may be painful to swallow
• You may experience mild chest pain or nausea for two to three days. This is normal.
• Medication or anesthesia given during the procedure will prohibit you from driving for the rest of the day
• Diet instruction will be discussed with you before you leave the endoscopy center. A liquid diet may be recommended for one or two days following therapy.
• You may resume your regular activities the day after the procedure.
• A follow-up endoscopy exam is necessary two to three months after treatment to make certain that all abnormal cells have been eliminated.

Are there possible complications from an Halo procedure?
Although serious complications are rare, any medical procedure has the potential for risks. A nurse will review all potential warning signs with you before you leave the endoscopy center. Risks include:
• Perforation, or a tear, of the lining of the stomach or esophagus
• Bleeding from the biopsy site, if any tissue was removed
• Reaction to medications used for the procedure

For more information:
• Barrx Medical  http://www.barrx.com/Patients_and_Families/Index.cfm/1

12/22/2009