New Approaches To AF Ablation And Mapping

The market for atrial fibrillation catheter ablation devices continues to grow even as the field wrestles with basic questions and as new study results may dampen enthusiasm for some technologies. Though strategics dominate this sector, innovators with new approaches to ablation and mapping hope to help resolve unknowns and take a piece of this vast and underpenetrated market.

Atrial fibrillation (AF or Afib), a condition in which the heart’s atria receive disorganized, irregular electrical signals that cause them to essentially twitch rather than beat, is on the rise worldwide. Catheter ablation of the heart and/or pulmonary veins is a useful treatment for some types of atrial fibrillation, but the procedure carries significant relapse rates, particularly in patients with more severe Afib. The catheter-based Afib ablation landscape is dominated by strategics including St. Jude Medical Inc., Biosense Webster Inc.(a Johnson & Johnsoncompany), Medtronic PLC, Boston Scientific Corp. and Abbott Laboratories Inc., which have made important moves recently. (Also see "Device Companies Follow New Map To Atrial Fibrillation" - Medtech Insight, 7 December, 2012.) But not everyone agrees on whether better mapping technologies or better catheters are the future of Afib ablation, and recent trial results have unsettled many insiders. Smaller companies, in the meantime, are innovating in both. (See Figure 1.) Moreover, one company is working on a completely noninvasive approach. (See sidebar below: CyberHeart Takes Noninvasive Approach To AF Ablation.)

Between 2.7 and 6.1 million people in the US and 33 million worldwide suffer from Afib, and the numbers are...

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 Cardiology

Ultrahuman Launches Home Health Monitoring

 

Ultrahuman seeks to “create an environment that aligns with our bodies" by linking environmental parameters collected by Ultrahuman Home to health physiology, measured by the Ultrahuman Ring Air.

Johnson & Johnson MedTech: How To Scale Digital Solutions

 

J&J's EMEA head of digital solutions, Julia Fishman, talks about the major hurdles in scaling digital innovation, tips for clinical adoption and what’s up next on J&J’s innovation road map. Robot-assisted surgery pioneer Ivo Broeders gives his perspective on the difficulties in clinical adoption.

Digital Health Roundup: Synchron Syncs With Apple, Ketryx’s AI Agents, AdvaMed’s AI RoadMap

In this week's Digital Health Roundup, MedTech Insight's Shubham Singh explores how Ketryx's launch of validated AI agents could reshape compliance automation in medtech. Marion Webb highlights news from BCI makers Synchron, Axoft and Subsense. Elizabeth Orr discusses AI advances at the FDA.

Abbott Announces FDA Approval Of Tendyne Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement System

 
• By 

Abbott received the US FDA nod for its Tendyne system, offering a minimally invasive alternative to replace the valves of patients with severe mitral valve disease who are at risk for open-heart surgery.

More from Device Area

Somnee AI-Powered Sleep Wearable Raises $10M Seed Round

 

The $10m seed extension funding round will be used to launch the second-generation wearable headband with the added SmartSleep AI operating system.

Aneira Health Launches New Precision Medicine Platform Exclusively For Women

 

Cecilia Lindgren, Aneira Health’s co-founder and chief science officer, said that the company has “redesigned the diagnostic model.” The subscription-based platform offers clinical-grade and AI diagnostics alongside clinical consultation.

Ultrahuman Launches Home Health Monitoring

 

Ultrahuman seeks to “create an environment that aligns with our bodies" by linking environmental parameters collected by Ultrahuman Home to health physiology, measured by the Ultrahuman Ring Air.