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CardioiFocus Laser Balloon Catheter
Technology & Innovations
Laser Balloon Catheter for Atrial Fibrillation
Last updated: September 20, 2026
Laser balloon ablation is a minimally invasive catheter procedure that uses heat from a direct-visual laser to scar abnormal heart tissue causing atrial fibrillation.
As with other catheter ablations of the Pulmonary Veins (PVs), doctors insert a thin tube (catheter) through a blood vessel in your groin and guide it up to your heart. A tiny balloon with an endoscope (camera) is inflated inside the heart, allowing the doctor to see directly into the tissue and pulmonary veins to create stable, continuous, and precise ablation lines. This blocks the electrical signals from the PVs, the source of most A-Fib signals, from reaching the Left Atrium and causing Atrial Fibrillation.
Best candidates are patients with paroxysmal A-Fib whose symptoms are not controlled by heart medications. It is generally not recommended for patients who have had long-standing, persistent A-Fib for many years or those unable to tolerate a general anesthetic.
Studies show roughly 74% freedom from atrial arrhythmias at one year for patients with paroxysmal A-Fib.
Laser Balloon Ablations account for a small minority (typically under 5% to 8%) of balloon ablation procedures and is restricted to fewer specialized centers and specific visual endoscope workflows.
For more about CyroBalloon Ablation, see A CryoAblation Primer for Atrial Fibrillation.
The variable size balloon of the Laser catheter (CardioFocus, Inc., Marlborough, MA) can be positioned in a vein opening to encircle the vein.
The catheter features direct visualization (endoscopic). The doctor sees directly through the catheter the area he/she is ablating.
The variable size of the Laser Balloon makes it easier to manipulate and might enable it to fit better into the different sizes of pulmonary vein openings.
Laser energy produces lasting lesions. And direct visualization would certainly be a help to doctors doing an ablation and would reduce the amount of radiation patients and medical staff are exposed to. This is an example of what the doctor sees. “LSPV” is the Left Superior Pulmonary Vein, “LIPV” is the Left Inferior Pulmonary Vein.
Originally posted 2011
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Last updated: Sunday, September 20, 2026
