Headed to Charleston Tuesday for a cardio laser ablation using the latest technology that is not available for public use yet. Here it is: Laser Balloon — HeartLight The HeartLight Endoscopic Ablation System (CardioFocus), which was approved in Europe in June 2009 and is in a clinical trial in the US, uses laser energy to ablate tissue. The laser balloon offers real time visualization, meaning the electrophysiologist can see where the balloon is positioned and where the energy is delivered. Doctors who spoke about their experience with the laser balloon at the Heart Rhythm Society meeting said that its visualization capability is a large step forward for catheter ablation. Dr. Moussa Mansour, of Massachusetts General Hospital, reiterated the importance of this feature at the Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium. He stated that the real time visualization becomes more important when a patient has complex anatomy. He noted two other advantages: doctors can see whether there are any gaps in the ablation lines, which could increase effectiveness, and they also can see when tissue starts to overheat and adjust the power accordingly, which may reduce some complications. The laser balloon is made of a special material that allows it to conform to a variety of pulmonary vein sizes and shapes. Inside the balloon, there is an endoscope (miniature camera), an optical fiber that delivers laser energy, and a lumen (small tube) that circulates a liquid coolant. The endoscope is what enables the electrophysiologist to see where the balloon is placed and where the laser energy is delivered. The doctor positions the catheter at the ostia (opening) of a pulmonary vein and inflates the balloon, and then delivers the laser energy, which is visible as a green light, to create lesions. When one area has been ablated, the doctor turns the balloon to ablate another area. You can see a HeartLight laser ablation by clicking on this clinical procedure video. cardiofocus/media_library.html (click the top left video) Love cutting edge stuff!!
Posted on: Sat, 20 Jul 2013 17:54:27 +0000
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