Medtronic begins new study of Arctic Front Advance cryoballoon

Medtronic has commenced a European clinical trial assessing the safety and efficacy of its Arctic Front Advance cryoballoon.

The Cryo-FIRST study will evaluate the procedural success and clinical outcomes of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation undergoing cryoballoon ablation as an initial treatment, as compared with medication.

Currently, drug therapy is accepted as the standard first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation, but clinical research has indicated that half of all patients with symptomatic disease do not respond to this, meaning earlier ablation may offer improvements.

The trial will include 218 patients in up to 12 centres across Europe in total.

Reggie Groves, vice-president and general manager of Medtronic's atrial fibrillation solutions business, said: "We believe that cryoballoon ablation therapy may safely and effectively address the disease before it progresses, improving outcomes and quality of life for patients, and reducing healthcare costs."

The company is currently proceeding with its planned takeover of Covidien, which was recently approved by Medtronic's shareholders. The transaction is expected to close at the end of this month or in early February.