Centers of Excellence I Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute I Austin, Texas
Electrophysiology Innovation at Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute
The Evolution of RF Technology to
Reduce Complications and Improve Outcomes
Most advancements in electrophysiology technology are small and incremental, but the experts at Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute in Austin, TX, were quick to see distinct advantages when they started using the latest iteration of radio frequency ablation, the QDOT MICRO™ Catheter.
Advances in catheter technology aid | The evolution of RF technology |
The evolution of RF technology to reduce complications and improve outcomes
“Overall, it's clearly a superior technology in term of vision, quality, and efficiency.”
Andrea Natale, MD, Executive Medical Director, Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute and National Medical Director, Cardiac Electrophysiology, HCA Healthcare
The newest generation of RF ablation technology released in 2023 introduced new features that further improve RF. The QDOT MICRO™ Catheter (Johnson & Johnson MedTech) combines all of the major advances over the past 20 years, plus new features such as micro electrodes and accurate temperature sensors embedded in the tip. These help the operator visualize the tip with a window on the CARTO™ 3 Mapping System (Johnson & Johnson MedTech) to aid in reducing fluoroscopy during procedures. Read more
Enabling X-ray-free ablation procedures in the EP lab
“My journey for going from low-fluoro to zero-fluoro began really 15 years ago, and it was a very personal thing for me. If you look at the reasons that cardiologists and electrophysiologists retire prematurely, the vast majority of them are because of back injuries and neck injuries from the weight of the lead. I was one of those statistics.”
Rodney Horton, MD, Researcher, Texas Cardiac Arrythmia Institute
Exposure to scatter radiation and orthopedic issues related to years of wearing lead aprons during long EP procedures has led electrophysiologists to seek out new ways to reduce the need for angiographic X-ray. The Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute in Austin has been a leader in leveraging new technologies such as intracardiac echo (ICE) and advanced EP mapping systems to enable fluoro-free procedures.
“The staff is getting bathed with scatter radiation day after day, and those are not trivial risks to the staff,” says Rodney Horton, MD, researcher at the Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute. “My journey for going from low-fluoro to zero-fluoro began really 15 years ago, and it was a very personal thing for me. If you look at the reasons that cardiologists and electrophysiologists retire prematurely, the vast majority of them are because of back injuries and neck injuries from the weight of the lead. I was one of those statistics. I was going home barely able to walk some days because of back pain. It took me about five years to teach myself how to put aside the X-ray.”
He has become one of the biggest advocates for zero-fluoro ablation procedures and has taught other EPs how to do it. Read more
Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates' portfolio of products with FDA approved/cleared instructions for use to support fluoro alternative workflows when used with the CARTO™ 3 System include the following: THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH™ SF Catheter, THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH™ Catheter, CARTO™ VIZIGO™ Bi-Directional Guiding Sheath, PENTARAY™ NAV ECO High Density Mapping Catheter, OCTARAY™ Mapping Catheter with TRUEref™ Technology, OPTRELL™ Mapping Catheter with TRUEref™ Technology, DECANAV™ Mapping Catheters, and Webster™ CS Catheter.
Biosense Webster QDOT MICRO™ Catheters and related accessory devices are indicated for catheter-based cardiac electrophysiological mapping (stimulating and recording) and, when used in conjunction with a compatible radiofrequency generator, for the treatment of:
• Type I atrial flutter in patients age 18 or older.
• Drug refractory recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, when used with compatible three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping systems
Biosense Webster QDOT MICRO™ Catheters provide real-time measurement of contact force between the catheter tip and heart wall, as well as location information when used with CARTO™ 3 Navigation System.
Drs. Horton and Natale are compensated by and presenting on behalf of Johnson and Johnson MedTech and must present information in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Important information: Prior to use, refer to the instructions for use supplied with this device for indications, contraindications, side effects, warnings and precautions.
Caution: US law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
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© Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates 2025.