Cavo-tricuspid isthmus radiofrequency ablation using a novel remote navigation catheter system in patients with typical atrial flutter.
OBJECTIVE
A new remote catheter system (AMIGO™ Remote Catheter System) compatible with conventional ablation catheters is now commercially available but no data about its performance in clinical use during ablation have been reported. This study evaluates the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of cavo-tricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation with this system in patients with typical atrial flutter (AFl).


RESULTS
Sixty patients with typical AFl underwent CTI ablation using the new remote catheter navigation system with 8 mm tip or irrigated catheters in three centres following each centre's routine practice. The endpoint was stable bidirectional CTI block. CTI ablation was successful in 98% of patients. Ablation was completed manually in one patient. The overall procedure, fluoroscopy, and radiofrequency times (median ± standard deviation, range) were 123 ± 42 (50-250), 24 ± 13 (3-82), and 10 ± 8 (1.17-43.3) min, respectively. Three patients had vascular complications not requiring surgical intervention. There were no complications related to the remote catheter manipulation system.


CONCLUSIONS
Cavo-tricuspid isthmus ablation for typical AFl can be safely and effectively performed with the AMIGO™. The learning curve seems to be short even for physicians with limited ablation experience.
Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Universitario 12 de octubre, Avda de Córdoba, s/n, 28041 Madrid, Spai n.
María
M
López-Gil
Ricardo
R
Salgado
Jose Luis
JL
Merino
Tomás
T
Datino
Jorge
J
Figueroa
Angel
A
Arenal
Elena
E
Mejía
Rafael
R
Salguero
Adolfo
A
Fontenla
Fernando
F
Arribas
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D062906:Cardiac Catheters; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059032:Learning Curve; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012371:Robotics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013030:Spain; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
Ablation; Atrial flutter; Remote navigation