Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
Remote Magnetic Navigation for Accurate, Real-time Catheter Positioning and Ablation in Cardiac Electrophysiology Procedures
Published on: April 21, 2013
Method, safety, and outcomes of persistent AF ablation without a circular mapping catheter: 3 years experience of a
Benoit Robaye1, Olivier Deceuninck1,2, Dominique Blommaert1
1Service de Cardiologie, Université Catholique de Louvain, CHU UCL Namur, Yvoir, Belgium.
Background:
We aimed to share our methods and experience of persistent AF ablation without a circular mapping catheter (CMC), thereby avoiding femoral venous and transseptal punctures, decreasing the cost of the procedure, and possibly reducing the duration of the procedure and fluoroscopy time.
Methods:
We report our experience with 261 persistent AF ablations performed without a CMC over the past 3 years.
Results:
The procedures were performed with no apparent loss of efficacy or safety. Freedom from recurrence was defined as a 1-year absence of AF/atrial flutter (AFL) episodes >30 s, beyond the 3-month blanking period. At 1 year, 72% of the patients were free from arrythmias.
Conclusions:
Persistent AF ablation is feasible without a CMC, reducing the need for venous and transseptal punctures and the cost of the procedure. We suggest that prospective studies should aim to characterise the reduction in procedure and fluoroscopy times as a result of this technique.
