Innovative Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Catheter Ablation System From Ablation Frontiers is Subject of Two Abstracts at Heart Rhythm C...( Investigators call the System 'A ...),Health

Investigators call the System 'A Genuine Advance in AF-Ablation Technology'

CARLSBAD, Calif., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Ablation Frontiers, Inc., announced today that two important abstracts which evaluated its innovative Atrial Fibrillation (AF) cardiac ablation system were presented at the 5th Annual Heart Rhythm Congress. The studies, conducted independently, were led by Dr. Steve Murray of James Cook University Hospital in Middlesborough, UK, as well as Dr. Simon James and Dr. John Bourke of the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. The Heart Rhythm U.K. Congress was held from October 19-22, 2008 in Birmingham, UK.

Dr. Murray's abstract contrasted AF ablation results using a conventional ablation catheter with the aid of a 3D mapping system against his current approach using the new Ablation Frontiers System. The system consists of the advanced multi-channel phased GENius RF generator and a set of 3-D anatomically designed catheters (PVAC, MASC and MAAC) capable of mapping, ablating and pacing at target sites throughout the right and left atria.

Using this new technology, a total of 62 patients underwent AF ablation for either persistent (n=23) or paroxysmal AF (n=39). Sinus rhythm was acutely restored in 100% of patients and there were no major complications.

For those patients with persistent AF, the advanced form of the disease process, 17 were first-time ablation patients and six had received an ablation using alternate ablation technologies. For 16 patients that had been followed for 6 months or more, 10 were free of symptoms and had their anti-arrhythmic drug therapy discontinued.

Within the paroxysmal AF patient cohort, 31 of the patients were undergoing their first ablation, while 8 had failed their previous ablation using an alternate ablation technique. Procedure times were consistently under 90 minutes. At an average of 6 months follow-up, 35 of the 39 (90%) patients were free of AF symptoms and no longer
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