CardioFocus has reported superior benefits of high-dose laser ablation using its cardiac ablation system when compared to low-dose treatment.
Featuring an endoscope for intra-procedural visualization of the beating heart, the HeartLight system combines with a laser energy source to achieve more precise and durable ablation results.
The study has enrolled 60 symptomatic, drug refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) patients between the ages of 18-70 who had never before had PVI attempted to control their AF symptoms.
Patients were randomized, where the high-dose group received an ablation energy at >8.5 to 12W and in low-dose group was titrated at 5.5 < 8.5W.
The study demonstrated that acute PVI was achieved after a single visually guided circular lesion set in 89% and 69% of patients in the HD and LD groups respectively and a long-term clinical success rate of 83% off antiarrhythmic drugs after a single procedure.
During a mean follow-up of 311 days, the AF recurrence rate was only 17% in the HD group while 40% in the LD group.
CardioFocus president and CEO Stephen Sagon said the publication reveals the benefits of high-dose laser ablation and continues to validate the HeartLight technology.
"We hope this clinical experience will provide a guide to current and new HeartLight adopters to inform dosing strategies and optimize results for patients," Sagon added.