Key result
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation using the Heliostar RF balloon achieved successful isolation of all pulmonary veins with a low complication rate and no mortality at 30 days.
Why the study?
To describe early experience, procedural outcomes, and workflow comparisons using the novel Heliostar RF balloon ablation technology for atrial fibrillation catheter ablation.
Does catheter ablation using a novel multi-electrode radiofrequency balloon safely and efficiently achieve pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation?
Observational (n=60)
Yes
Does catheter ablation using a novel multi-electrode radiofrequency balloon safely and efficiently achieve pulmonary vein isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation?
The novel multi-electrode radiofrequency balloon achieves efficient and safe pulmonary vein isolation with very short isolation times and low fluoroscopy requirements.
Heliostar balloon PVI appears feasible with short times; hypothesis-generating pending randomized comparisons to established catheters.
INTRODUCTION: The Heliostar™ ablation system is a novel RF balloon ablation technology with an integrated three-dimensional mapping system. Here, we describe our early experience and procedural outcomes using this technology for atrial fibrillation catheter ablation. METHODS: We sought to comprehensively assess the first 60 consecutive patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation using the novel HELISOTAR™ RF balloon technology including procedural outcomes. A comparison of the workflow between two different anaesthetic modalities (conscious sedation [CS] vs. general anaesthesia [GA]) was made. Procedural data were collected prospectively from two high-volume centers (Barts Heart Centre, UK and University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich). A standardized approach for catheter ablation was employed. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients had the procedure under CS and the remaining under GA. Mean procedural and fluoroscopy times were 84 ± 33 min and 1.1 min. The median duration of RF energy application was 7 (5-9.8) mins per patient. All veins were successfully isolated, and the median isolation time was 10 (7-15) seconds. Our cohort's rate of procedural complications was low, with no mortality within 30 days postprocedure. CONCLUSION: Our early experience shows that catheter ablation using the Heliostar™ technology can be performed efficiently and safely; however, long-term data is yet to be established. Low fluoroscopy requirements, short learning curves and use of this technology with CS is possible, including the use of an oesophageal temperature probe.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Kanthasamy et al. (2023) conducted an observational in Atrial fibrillation (n=60). Heliostar RF balloon ablation system vs. Conscious sedation vs. general anaesthesia was evaluated on Procedural outcomes including successful pulmonary vein isolation and complications. Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation using the Heliostar RF balloon achieved successful isolation of all pulmonary veins with a low complication rate and no mortality at 30 days.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: