AF Symposium Two New Reports: Ablation Without Touching Heart and New RF Balloon Catheter
I’ve posted two of my reports from the 2019 AF Symposium.
Automated Robotic Ultrasound Ablation
From the Czech Republic via streaming video, a catheter ablation using an incredible new technology―Ultrasound Mapping and Ablation (Low-Intensity Collimated Ultrasound, LICU) from Vytronus, Inc. The catheter never touches the tissue!

From Vytronus VIDEO: Ultrasound Mapping and Ablation
The EP created a robotic lesion path for the ultrasound catheter to follow. Using electromagnetic navigation, the catheter automatically went to the spots and path the operator drew.
We watched as the catheter hovered over the heart surface while the highly directional ultrasound energy beam created the lesion lines—never touching the tissue. It was amazing to watch!
To learn more...go to my full report: Ablation Without touching the Heart Surface Using Ultrasound―Live Case from Prague.
Multi-Electrode Radio-Frequency (RF) Balloon Catheter
The new irrigated Multi-Electrode RF Balloon Catheter from Biosense Webster is a “one-shot” delivery of RF energy and can burn lesions to isolate the Pulmonary Veins in minutes. And because the electrodes can be programmed to deliver less energy levels (for example near the esophagus), the RF Balloon Catheter can be safer and more effective than traditional RF point-by-point ablation.
It has 10 gold surface electrodes or heating bars which can be turned on and off or set to deliver different energy levels simultaneously. Each electrode is powered by its own generator.
While the AF Symposium audience watched the RF ablation live, the EP took just 7 seconds to isolate a particular vein―quite remarkable compared to the time involved for traditional RF.
To read my full report, go to: Multi-Electrode RF Balloon Catheter―Live Case from Boston Mass. General