Cardiac Catheter Ablation
Cardiac catheter ablation is used to treat a variety of cardiac arrhythmias including Atrial Fibrillation (AF). The procedure involves advancing a catheter into the heart and selectively ablating certain areas of tissue in order to prevent the spread of electrical signals that give rise to the arrhythmia.
Most catheter ablation procedures are now conducted with irrigated catheters, in which saline is pumped through the tip during the application of energy, in order to prevent the tip from overheating and increasing risk of blood clotting events. However, as the tip is cooled, it is not possible to estimate the effect of the energy on the tissue by measuring the temperature at the surface of the tissue.
ACT's microwave radiometry technology will allow measurement of tissue temperature with an irrigated catheter for the first time. This will permit Electrophysiologists greater control in lesion creation and has the potential to improve patient outcomes.