Medtronic study highlights benefits of anatomically-designed catheters

Medtronic has published new clinical data which illustrates the benefits offered by anatomically-designed ablation catheters in treating paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

According to research presented at the Cardiostim 2010 industry congress, anatomically-designed catheters are able to achieve pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) around 35 per cent faster than traditional point-by-point focal ablation procedures.

The data from the Fast-PVI study, which was supported by Medtronic, also revealed that the acute PVI success rate for anatomical catheters is around 99 per cent.

Dr Gunnar Klein of Hannover Medical School said: “Fast-PVI is the first study quantifying procedure time efficiency improvements associated with the use of anatomically designed catheter ablation systems.”

Anatomically-designed catheters available from Medtronic include its Arctic Front Cardiac CryoAblation Catheter and advanced radiofrequency Pulmonary Vein Ablation Catheter.

Last week, Medtronic launched its new Protecta range of defibrillator products in Europe, products which are designed to prevent patients from receiving inappropriate shocks.