Combined technologies to treat cardiac arrhythmias get FDA approval

Working together, the Niobe Magnetic Navigation System designed by Stereotaxis, Inc. and the Carto RMT System from Biosense Webster, Inc. can improve the ability to treat patients with abnormal heart rhythms. The combined technology has now received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.

The combined instruments permit physicians to remotely steer a catheter, map the electrical activity of the heart and ablate targeted areas requiring treatment. Cardiac radiofrequency ablation is a nonsurgical procedure in which the catheter delivers energy to damaged heart tissue, restoring normal heart rhythms.

To now, the combined technology has been used in Europe with more than 100 procedures conducted at the San Raffaele University Hospital in Milan, Italy. Doctors there note that for the first time the procedure may be performed from a remote location, such as a control room.

U.S.-based physicians look forward to using the technology. For example, Dr. Gery F. Tomassoni, M.D. Director, Central Baptist Hospital Cardiac Research, in Lexington, Ky, says, "This is good news for doctors and patients. By integrating Biosense Webster's navigation system and catheters with Stereotaxis' Niobe system, we get leading diagnostic and ablation technology combined with an automated mapping and steering system, resulting in greater ability to treat a broad range of patients, including the most complex cases. Learn more at www.biosensewebster.com.