Device Companies Follow New Map To Atrial Fibrillation

Device therapies for atrial fibrillation (AF) have so far failed to result in compelling efficacy across all types of disease and patients. The rates of elimination of AF following a catheter ablation procedure range from 30% to 80% according to the type of patient and the definition of success. The question of why success rates aren’t yet sufficient after a great deal of investment is an area of active pursuit, and one that opens up the door for next-generation AF device companies seeking to improve upon the results achieved to date.

In the cardiovascular device arena, as in so many other medical device fields, success tends to come only after halting progress. In coronary artery disease, for example, an interventional revolution began when angioplasty catheters were introduced to clear blocked arteries in the heart without the need for bypass surgery. However, plaque dissection and elastic recoil caused the vessels to abruptly close again, necessitating the development of stents to prop them open. Physicians soon discovered that bare-metal stents were plagued by high rates of gradual vessel re-closure (restenosis) due to accelerated neoinitimal cell growth inside the stented area, and drug-eluting stents came along to deal with that problem. Today, coronary revascularization procedures produce excellent long-term vessel patency, although not every problem has been solved and the field continues to evolve and improve. Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is following a similar path. Earlier versions of radiofrequency (RF) ablation catheters overheated tissue, so the tips were irrigated with saline to achieve a more controlled burn. Irrigation solved one problem but created another – electrophysiologists (EPs) no longer could use temperature measurement at the tissue surface to confirm that they had created adequate ablation lesions during the procedure. So sensors were developed to measure the force with which the ablation probe contacts tissue to give physicians feedback about whether or not they’re creating a competent lesion.

In the case of AF, however, these incremental advancements have so far failed to result in compelling efficacy across all...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Medtech Insight for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Archive

Final Chance To Have Your Say: Take Our Reader Survey This Week

 
• By 

Editor’s note: This is your final call to participate in the survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. The deadline is 20 September.

Shape Our Content: Take The Reader Survey

 
• By 

Editor’s note: We are conducting a survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. If there are any changes you’d like to see in coverage topics, content format or the method in which you receive and access Medtech Insight, or if you love it how it is, now is the time to have your voice heard.

Patients With Movement Disorders Will Benefit From Medtronic’s Expanded MRI Labeling For DBS

 
• By 

Medtronic announced it received expanded MRI labeling for its DBS systems, which is critical, given that almost 70% of all DBS-eligible patients will likely need an MRI at some point in their care, says Ashwini Sharan, CMO for Medtronic Neuromodulation.

Podcast: Lung Life AI CEO Shares Regulatory And Reimbursement Journey For Lung Cancer Diagnostic

 

In this episode, Medtech Insight reporter Natasha Barrow speaks to LungLife AI CEO Paul Pagano. Lung Life AI is a US-based AIM-listed medical technology company that has developed a liquid biopsy test for the early detection of lung cancer called Lung LB. Pagano runs through the highlights of Lung Life AI journey to date and its future ambition for a strategic partnership. He also provides advice to similar diagnostic companies seeking reimbursement andcompliance with the US FDA Lab Developed Test ruling.

More from Medtech Insight

Medtronic, Philips Cement New Pact To Embed Next-Gen Tech In Monitoring Platforms

 
• By 

Under the terms of the new agreement, Philips will also begin bundling essential supplies – including ECG, noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) components, and batteries – with its Medtronic-enabled monitors.

Bivacor Rotary Heart Could Upend The Artificial Heart Market, If It Reaches Its Destination

 
• By 

Bivacor aims to be first to the US market with a permanent total artificial heart, starting with use as a bridge to transplant. CMO William Cohn says data from countries with low transplant rates could support pivotal trials and long-term use.

Study: FDA’s Breakthrough Path Speeds Access, But Raises Safety Questions

 
• By 

Research recently published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that the FDA met its review timeline goals for the majority of breakthrough devices – but also revealed some apparent shortcomings in safety data supporting the submissions.