Medtronic's next-generation Arctic Front Advance cryoablation catheter gains US, EU approval
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By: Katie Bell
Ref: StreetInsider, Medtronic
Published: 05/12/2015
Medtronic announced Tuesday the company's third-generation cryoablation catheter, Arctic Front Advance ST Cryoballoon, received FDA approval for the treatment of patients with drug refractory, recurrent, symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and CE Mark for the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation. The device maker added that the product will be broadly available this fall, following a limited market release.
According to Medtronic, the third-generation cryoballoon has a 40-percent shorter tip than the previous generation, "designed to help visualise ablation success in real-time with the Achieve Mapping Catheter, as well as allow increased maneuverability for accessing some pulmonary vein anatomies." The device, which is used in a minimally invasive procedure to isolate the pulmonary veins, is associated with shorter procedure times than point-by-point radiofrequency ablation, the company noted.
Reggie Groves, Medtronic's general manager of the AF Solutions business, remarked "the next-generation Arctic Front Advance ST Cryoballoon builds upon the successful performance of the Arctic Front Advance System", which the device maker said is the "only cryoballoon system approved in the US for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and in Europe for treatment of atrial fibrillation."
According to Medtronic, the third-generation cryoballoon has a 40-percent shorter tip than the previous generation, "designed to help visualise ablation success in real-time with the Achieve Mapping Catheter, as well as allow increased maneuverability for accessing some pulmonary vein anatomies." The device, which is used in a minimally invasive procedure to isolate the pulmonary veins, is associated with shorter procedure times than point-by-point radiofrequency ablation, the company noted.
Reggie Groves, Medtronic's general manager of the AF Solutions business, remarked "the next-generation Arctic Front Advance ST Cryoballoon builds upon the successful performance of the Arctic Front Advance System", which the device maker said is the "only cryoballoon system approved in the US for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and in Europe for treatment of atrial fibrillation."