First commercial robotically navigated, high-density EP mapping procedures performed in US
There has been a movement in electrophysiology (EP) labs to adopt high-density mapping catheters that allow more detailed information on the electrical activity in heart tissue to enable more complete ablation procedures to improve outcomes and reduce the need for repeat procedures. Now the first robotically navigated, high-density mapping catheter is beginning to be used commercially in the United States.
The Stereotaxis MAGiC Sweep gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance in July and its first commercial use was announced this week by the company. The procedures were performed by Raffaele Corbisiero, MD, and Pedram Kazemian, MD, at Deborah Heart and Lung Center in Browns Mills, New Jersey.
“We’re excited to be the first to demonstrate the value of robotic high-density mapping and to offer this important innovation to our patients,” explained Corbisiero, chief of electrophysiology, in a statement. “The ability to create a more accurate, detailed map of complex anatomy is important in diagnosing and treating arrhythmias. We have been impressed with the catheter during our experience mapping several different arrhythmias in the atria and ventricles.”
Steriotaxis has been the key vendor for robotic EP device navigation systems. These systems help make movements of catheters more precise, controllable and predictable inside the heart, which can be challenging when manually manipulating catheters since the heart is always moving. The MAGiC Sweep is equipped with 20 electrodes to facilitate rapid and detailed electro-anatomical mapping of the heart chambers.
“Navigating MAGiC Sweep to any desired cardiac location was easy, the catheter maintained stable contact with cardiac tissue, electrogram signals were very clear, and the catheter caused no ectopy in the ventricle,” added Kazemian, program director of EP fellowship at Deborah Heart and Lung Center, in a statement. “This is a significant leap forward for the community of robotic electrophysiologists and we look forward to the positive impact its expanded use will have on our patients and the EP field.”
Stereotaxis said MAGiC Sweep has been submitted for regulatory review in Europe.
Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: [email protected]