What does this research mean for the field?

Using distal magnetic sensors reduces mapping time by 24.8% and improves geometric accuracy from 2.9 to 0.5 mm in a swine model. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to investigate whether adding distal magnetic sensors to mapping catheters improves speed and accuracy compared to traditional designs.

February 11, 2026

Distal Magnetic Sensors Eliminate Geometric Inaccuracy and Accelerate Mapping: A Preclinical Validation of a Novel Grid‐Style Catheter

Key Result

The distal-sensor HD Grid X catheter reduced mapping time by 24.8% (11.5 vs. 15.3 min) and improved geometric accuracy from 2.9 to 0.5 mm compared to proximal-sensor design.

Key Points

The aim is to investigate whether adding distal magnetic sensors to mapping catheters improves speed and accuracy compared to traditional designs.
Conducted a preclinical study in swine using the EnSite X mapping system.
Created two mapping sequences per region (HD Grid X and HD Grid) and recorded mapping times.
Established geometric accuracy through measurements at 12 predefined sites in multiple chambers.
Mapping time with HD Grid X was significantly shorter (11.5 min vs. 15.3 min; p < 0.001).
Geometric accuracy improved with HD Grid X, showing a measurement of 0.5 mm compared to 2.9 mm with traditional methods (p < 0.001).
Improvements were consistent across all heart chambers and specific anatomical locations.

Structured PICO

Does a grid-style catheter with distal magnetic sensors improve mapping speed and geometric accuracy compared to a conventional proximal-sensor design in a preclinical swine model?

Population

Preclinical swine model (n=9 swine)

Intervention

Mapping with HD Grid X catheter (distal magnetic sensors)

Comparator

Mapping with HD Grid catheter (proximal magnetic sensor)

Outcome

Mapping time and geometric accuracy (orthogonal catheter-to-surface distance)surrogate

The addition of distal magnetic sensors to a grid-style mapping catheter significantly reduces mapping time and improves geometric accuracy in a preclinical model.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Most multipolar mapping catheters use a proximal magnetic sensor, risking distal positional error and slower point acquisition. We tested whether adding distal sensors improves speed and geometric fidelity vs. a conventional design. Methods In a preclinical swine model, maps were acquired on EnSite X. For each region—RA, RV, LA, LV, coronary sinus (CS), and epicardium (Epi)—two maps were created in sequence (HD Grid X first, then HD Grid) and mapping time was recorded. To evaluate geometric accuracy, we sampled 12 predefined sites per chamber, arranged as 3 longitudinal levels (proximal, mid, distal) × 4 anatomical lines (anterior, lateral, posterior, septal). At each site, the orthogonal catheter‐to‐surface distance was measured on the HD Grid X map using a TACTIFLEX Ablation Catheter. Results Across 33 paired maps (9 swine), mapping time was shorter with HD Grid X: 11.5 8.1–13.6 vs. 15.3 10.9–17.3 min; p < 0.001 (−24.8%), with significant reductions in RA, RV, and LV. In 243 paired points (5 swine), geometric accuracy was superior with HD Grid X: 0.5 0.2–1.3 vs. 2.9 2.1–4.2 mm; p < 0.001, consistent across chambers and sub‐locations. Conclusion Distal magnetic sensors enable faster and more faithful geometry vs. a proximal‐sensor design.

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