Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Remote Magnetic Navigation for Accurate, Real-time Catheter Positioning and Ablation in Cardiac Electrophysiology Procedures
Published on: April 21, 2013
Single-ring ablation compared with standard circumferential pulmonary vein isolation using remote magnetic catheter
Christian Sohns1, Leonard Bergau, Joachim Seegers
1Division of Clinical Electrophysiology, Department of Cardiology and Pneumology, Heart Center, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, 37075, Göttingen, Germany, csohns@med.uni-goettingen.de.
Remote magnetic navigation (RMN) single-ring ablation for atrial fibrillation shows similar success rates to standard circumferential ablation but requires more lesions and time. RMN offers a low complication rate for both strategies.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation aims to electrically isolate pulmonary veins (PVs).
- The single-ring method targets posterior left atrium (LA) isolation, avoiding extensive posterior lesions.
- Remote magnetic navigation (RMN) offers enhanced catheter control during ablation procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the safety and efficacy of RMN-guided single-ring ablation versus standard RMN-guided circumferential PV ablation (PVA) for AF.
- To evaluate procedural outcomes, including lesion requirements and success rates.
Main Methods:
- A prospective randomized study involving 80 patients undergoing PVA.
- Patients were randomized to either RMN-guided single-ring ablation (40 patients) or RMN-guided circumferential PVA (40 patients).
- Procedures utilized the Stereotaxis system with irrigated ablation catheters and 3D mapping.
Main Results:
- Pulmonary vein isolation was achieved in both groups, with no significant difference in the number of PVs isolated (3.1 vs. 3.3).
- The single-ring group required additional posterior lesions for PV isolation and had longer procedure and ablation times (p=0.01 and p=0.001, respectively).
- Twelve-month freedom from atrial tachycardia/atrial fibrillation (AT/AF) was comparable (57% single-ring vs. 58% circumferential). Minor complications were observed with RMN.
Conclusions:
- RMN-guided single-ring PVA demonstrates comparable acute and long-term efficacy to RMN-guided circumferential PVA for AF.
- The single-ring strategy necessitates additional posterior lesions and increases procedural time.
- RMN-guided ablation is associated with a low rate of procedural complications.
