Abstract
3D mapping technologies are routinely used to facilitate catheter navigation during complex ablation procedures. They are used in addition and unrelated to conventional fluoroscopy. Recently, a novel sensor-based electromagnetic 3D navigation system has been introduced that allows real-time catheter tracking in the environment of pre-recorded conventional 2D X-ray. We report the first clinical experience for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. The Mediguide system worked uneventful. Mediguide enabled diagnostic catheters could be visualized and tracked non-fluoroscopically. Successful anatomical LA reconstruction was performed. After ablation complete circumferential pulmonary vein isolation, and complete lesion deployment was documented in each patient. Adverse events did not occur. Usage of the Mediguide system significantly reduced fluoroscopy time, while procedure durations did not change significantly. Conclusions: With the first clinical applications of the Mediguide technology in atrial fibrillation ablation, we found a stable system enabling accurate non-fluoroscopic 3D catheter tracking within pre-acquired 2D cine-loops. It was able to significantly reduce fluoroscopy durations without interrupting or extending work-flow, although a sensor-equipped ablation catheter was not yet available and the system was not yet intergrated with the EnsiteNavX coordinate system.
