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Updated: Mar 2, 2026
Remote Magnetic Navigation for Accurate, Real-time Catheter Positioning and Ablation in Cardiac Electrophysiology Procedures
Published on: April 21, 2013
Non-Fluoroscopic Transseptal Catheterization During Electrophysiology Procedures using a Remote Magnetic Navigation
Bich Lien Nguyen1, Jose L Merino1, Yehoshua Shachar1
1Electrophysiology Section, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, California (B.L.N., E.S.G.); Electrophysiology Section, Heart and Great Vessels Department, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy (B.L.N.); Arrhythmia and Cardiac Electrophysiology Robotic Unit, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain (J.L.M., A.E., D.D., S.C.); Magnetecs, Corp., Inglewood, California (Y.S., B.M., D.J.); Department of Radiological Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (W.M.).
This study introduces a novel remote magnetic navigation system (RMNS) for non-fluoroscopic transseptal puncture. The system safely and effectively re-crossed the fossa ovalis in electrophysiology procedures, reducing procedure time.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Interventions
- Electrophysiology
- Medical Device Technology
Background:
- Transseptal punctures are crucial for left atrial access in electrophysiology (EP) procedures.
- Loss of left atrial access during complex EP procedures necessitates re-crossing the fossa ovalis.
- Current methods often rely on fluoroscopy, posing risks and limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and evaluate a new technique for non-fluoroscopic transseptal re-crossing of the fossa ovalis.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of a novel remote magnetic navigation system (RMNS) for this purpose.
Main Methods:
- A new multielectrode transseptal sheath (TS) and RMNS were used in 5 patients undergoing left-sided ablation.
- The 3D position of the TS and fossa ovalis crossing site were tracked on an electroanatomic mapping (EAM) system.
- RMNS guided catheter navigation (manual and automated) for septal re-crossing.
Main Results:
- Successful transseptal re-crossing was achieved in all 5 patients without complications.
- Automated RMNS-guided technique was significantly faster (6.2±8.1 sec) than manual RMNS-guided technique (30.4±28.4 sec) (p=0.01).
- The novel RMNS demonstrated safe and effective non-fluoroscopic transseptal catheterization.
Conclusions:
- The described RMNS provides a safe and effective method for non-fluoroscopic transseptal catheterization.
- This technology offers a promising alternative for re-crossing the fossa ovalis during complex EP procedures.
- The automated RMNS navigation significantly reduces the time required for transseptal re-crossing.
