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Review
. 2018 Aug;7(3):169-180.
doi: 10.15420/aer.2018.7.3.

The Impact of Advances in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Devices on the Incidence and Prevention of Complications

Fehmi Keçe  1 , Katja Zeppenfeld  1 , Serge A Trines  1
Affiliations
Review

The Impact of Advances in Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Devices on the Incidence and Prevention of Complications

Fehmi Keçe et al. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev. 2018 Aug.

Abstract

The number of patients with atrial fibrillation currently referred for catheter ablation is increasing. However, the number of trained operators and the capacity of many electrophysiology labs are limited. Accordingly, a steeper learning curve and technical advances for efficient and safe ablation are desirable. During the last decades several catheter-based ablation devices have been developed and adapted to improve not only lesion durability, but also safety profiles, to shorten procedure time and to reduce radiation exposure. The goal of this review is to summarise the reported incidence of complications, considering device-related specific aspects for point-by-point, multi-electrode and balloon-based devices for pulmonary vein isolation. Recent technical and procedural developments aimed at reducing procedural risks and complications rates will be reviewed. In addition, the impact of technical advances on procedural outcome, procedural length and radiation exposure will be discussed.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; ablation catheters; ablation devices; complications; pulmonary vein isolation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The Heart Lung Centre of the Leiden University Medical Centre received unrestricted research grants from Medtronic, Biotronik, Boston Scientific, Lantheus Medical Imaging, St Jude Medical, Edwards Lifesciences and GE Healthcare, and unrestricted educational grants from Medtronic, Edwards Lifesciences and St Jude Medical. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1:
Figure 1:. Radiofrequency Ablation Devices with CF and Multi-electrode Ablation Catheters
Figure 2:
Figure 2:. Different Balloon-based Ablation Devices for Pulmonary Vein Isolation
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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