Robotic approach to catheter ablation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review is to introduce two novel techniques for catheter ablation of various arrhythmias in a remote-controlled fashion.


RESULTS
The electromechanical system Sensei consists of two steerable sheaths that navigate conventional catheters via a 'master-slave' input device. The magnetic navigation system Niobe consists of two outer permanent magnets that cause a uniform magnetic field in which a specialized magnetically equipped catheter has to align in parallel. Both systems can interact with three-dimensional mapping systems and several reports on the clinical effectiveness of the systems have been published, which will be critically discussed in this review.


CONCLUSIONS
These two novel technologies offer the fascinating option of performing catheter ablation in a remote-controlled fashion. Future studies and head-to-head comparisons with conventional ablation techniques will prove the impact of remote navigation, which hopefully will remove invasive electrophysiologists away from patients without the risks of reduced efficacy or increased procedural risks.
Ernst
Sabine
S
Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK. sernst1708@aol.com
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008280:Magnetics; D012371:Robotics; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000601:surgery