Key result
Balloon systems, MRI selection, and FIRM mapping promise to simplify and improve AF ablation.
Why the study?
Pulmonary vein isolation using traditional radiofrequency ablation is time consuming and technically challenging, and refining patient selection for PVI remains an important goal.
This review highlights emerging technologies in atrial fibrillation ablation, including balloon-based systems, MRI-guided patient selection, and FIRM mapping, which aim to simplify procedures and improve outcomes.
Requires randomized validation before changing AF ablation practice; leaves open efficacy of these technologies.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major public health issue worldwide, the incidence of which is likely to continue to rise. With the birth of pulmonary vein isolation(PVI), cardiac ablation has emerged as key strategy for the treatment of AF. PVI using traditional point by point radiofrequency ablation is time consuming and technically challenging. Refining patient selection for PVI also remains an important goal. New ablative strategies using catheter-based balloon technologies, such as cryothermy and laser-based systems, may simplify PVI. In addition, new MRI-based techniques offer the hope of refining patient selection prior to ablation. Lastly, FIRM mapping represents an entirely new approach to AF ablation via the targeting of mechanisms that perpetuate AF rather than simply targeting triggers alone.
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John Rickard (2014) conducted a review in Atrial fibrillation. New ablation technologies (cryothermy, laser-based systems, MRI-based techniques, FIRM mapping) vs. Traditional point by point radiofrequency ablation was evaluated. New technologies such as catheter-based balloon systems, MRI-based patient selection, and FIRM mapping offer promising advancements to simplify and improve atrial fibrillation ablation.
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