Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Support Group
Atrial fibrillation (AF or afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) which involves the two small, upper heart chambers (the atria). Heart beats in a normal heart begin after electricity generated in the atria by the sinoatrial node spread through the heart and cause contraction of the heart muscle and pumping of blood.
For those of us, including myself, who are waiting for advanced equipment for ablation:
Medtronic has received both U.S. and European regulatory approvals to introduce the new Arctic Front Advance ST Cryoablation Catheter for treating difficult to manage paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The device features a 40% shorter tip designed to makes it easier to assess the ablation with the companys Achieve Mapping Catheter. Additionally, the shorter tip allows more assured access through difficult pulmonary vein architecture.
The device uses cooling as the ablation mechanism, as opposed to radiofrequency heat sources that are commonly used these days.
Initial patients received treatment using the device at the Asklepios Klinik St. Georg in Hamburg, Germany, with a full roll out expected in the fall of this year.
From the announcement:
Cryoballoon technology is associated with shorter procedure times than point-by-point radiofrequency ablation, and better treatment outcomes than drug therapies on the market. The Arctic Front Advance System has been shown to improve quality of life for patients and significantly reduce paroxysmal (sporadic) atrial fibrillation symptoms, with patients experiencing reduction in atrial fibrillation episodes, palpitations, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, swelling, and syncope, and has become a widely adopted treatment for atrial fibrillation.
Medtronic has received both U.S. and European regulatory approvals to introduce the new Arctic Front Advance ST Cryoablation Catheter for treating difficult to manage paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The device features a 40% shorter tip designed to makes it easier to assess the ablation with the companys Achieve Mapping Catheter. Additionally, the shorter tip allows more assured access through difficult pulmonary vein architecture.
The device uses cooling as the ablation mechanism, as opposed to radiofrequency heat sources that are commonly used these days.
Initial patients received treatment using the device at the Asklepios Klinik St. Georg in Hamburg, Germany, with a full roll out expected in the fall of this year.
From the announcement:
Cryoballoon technology is associated with shorter procedure times than point-by-point radiofrequency ablation, and better treatment outcomes than drug therapies on the market. The Arctic Front Advance System has been shown to improve quality of life for patients and significantly reduce paroxysmal (sporadic) atrial fibrillation symptoms, with patients experiencing reduction in atrial fibrillation episodes, palpitations, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, swelling, and syncope, and has become a widely adopted treatment for atrial fibrillation.
Seems that these days, ablation kit is a bit like cell phones - when you buy the latest/greatest, it's obsolete by the time you get it home and unwrap it.
Very funny, but you are correct. We are living in such a fast pace life. It is very exciting times, lots of fast advances in everything. We are witnessing an amazing period in human history. I just love it :-)
pandor7 -
Thanks very much for the info. Made my day :-) Thank you.