Johnson & Johnson launches faster PFA system in Europe
Johnson & Johnson announced the launch of its new Varipulse Pro pulsed field ablation (PFA) system in Europe following CE mark approval. The new device is expected to cut procedure times with a new pulse sequence with a lower temperature profile that is five times faster than the previous sequence to achieve the same lesions.
The new iteration of the Varipulse device will be featured at the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) meeting April 12-14 in Paris, where it will be used in live cases and hands-on training sessions. The 12-month interim results from the ongoing VARIPURE study evaluating the Varipulse platform will also be presented at the EHRA PFA Summit.
“In our early experience, Varipulse Pro has been exceptionally smooth and easy to use,” said Tom De Potter, MD, head of electrophysiology and associate director of the Heart Center, OLV Hospital, Aalst, Belgium, in a statement. “The speed is particularly striking and contributes to more efficient procedures without compromising precision. The integration with the Carto mapping and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) facilitates accurate positioning and consistent lesion delivery, contributing to a very positive procedural experience.”
Varipulse Pro integrates seamlessly into the Carto 3 electro mapping system, which includes tissue proximity indicators to help create very precise lesions.
The company said initial cases have been performed under the VARIPURE multicenter, prospective, postmarket follow-up study.
The Varipulse Pro catheter is not currently approved for clinical use in the United States.
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]