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Rethinking AFib Management
Has your patient stopped responding to their AFib medication?
As a physician, you have a crucial role in managing and treating Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). You understand that for some patients, medications simply aren't enough. When this happens, we want you to know there is a next step—Cardiac Catheter Ablation.
Dive into our detailed AFib treatment report to learn more about Cardiac Catheter Ablation, its patient impact, and how it fits into a comprehensive AFib management strategy.
Impact of Cardiac Catheter Ablation
A Next Step in AFib Management: Cardiac Catheter Ablation
Cardiac Catheter Ablation is an advanced treatment option for patients who become refractory to medications.1 It’s minimally invasive and works by targeting and ablating the heart tissue that is causing the abnormal heart rhythm.2-7
Freedom from Atrial Arrythmia
After a single procedure, there was an 84%-94% freedom from atrial arrhythmia in paroxysmal AFib at 1 year.2,3,4
Lower Risk of Dementia
As observed in recent studies, compared to AADs, catheter ablation was associated with a 41% lower risk of dementia.8
AFib Treatments Compared: Drug Therapy vs. Cardiac Catheter Ablation
Can Cardiac Catheter Ablation Outperform AADs in Reducing Complications?*
Catheter ablation is highly effective and associated with a low rate of procedure-related adverse events.2,9,13 It has been shown to reduce the rate of AFib-related complications, improve quality of life and decrease healthcare resource utilization.
Antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy is moderately effective. It can improve quality of life in particular patients, however, is commonly associated with treatment discontinuation due to adverse events.11,12
*Comparison for patients with drug-refractory AFib
AF-Related Complications
Comparing Probability of AF-Related Complications*
Reductions in the probability of AF-related complications compared to drug therapy over a 7-year follow-up period:9,10
*Comparison for patients with drug-refractory AFib
Transforming Patient Quality of Life
Life-Changing Potential for Your Patient
Catheter ablation has been shown to enhance the quality of life for AFib patients.13 After undergoing the procedure, patients may experience a significant reduction in symptoms, allowing them to regain control of their health.
AFib Resources for Physicians and Healthcare Professionals
Embrace the Future with Cardiac Catheter Ablation & Electrophysiology
Stay at the forefront of AFib treatment with our latest resources.
Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Report
A Guide to Patient Impact, Disease Management and Treatment Outcomes
Benefits of Early Ablation
Learn how earlier restoration of sinus rhythm in atrial fibrillation patients may reduce disease progression, improve long-term procedural success, and lower overall patient mortality.
Developing Emergency Room (ER) AFib Treatment Pathways
Having an efficient ER AFib pathway to streamline AFib care can reduce diagnosis to ablation time, hospitalizations, and healthcare utilization among patients.
Elevating AFib Patient Education
Empower Your Patients: Simplify AFib with Our Educational Resources
Navigating AFib and its treatment options can be a complex and frustrating experience for patients. Our comprehensive resources simplify this process, providing your patients with the information they need to understand their condition and to confidently make informed decisions.
HCP Professional Development
Empowering Better AFib Patient Management
Ready to take your understanding of Catheter Ablation to the next level? We offer a diverse suite of educational resources and professional development materials to support you and your team.
References & Disclaimers
1. Weerasooriya R, Jais P, Le Heuzey JY, Scavee C, Choi KJ et al. (2003) Cost analysis of catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 26 (1 Pt 2): 292-294.
2. Hussein A, Das M, Chaturvedi V, Asfour IK, Daryanani N et al. (2017) Prospective use of Ablation Index targets improves clinical outcomes following ablation for atrial fibrillation. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 28 (9): 1037-1047.
3. Taghji P, El Haddad M, Phlips T, Wolf M, Knecht S et al. (2018) Evaluation of a Strategy Aiming to Enclose the Pulmonary Veins With Contiguous and Optimized Radiofrequency Lesions in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: A Pilot Study. JACC Clin Electrophysiol 4 (1): 99-108.
4. Phlips T, Taghji P, El Haddad M, Wolf M, Knecht S et al. (2018) Improving procedural and one-year outcome after contact force-guided pulmonary vein isolation: the role of interlesion distance, ablation index, and contact force variability in the ‘CLOSE’-protocol. Europace 20 (FI_3): f419-f427.
5. Solimene F, Schillaci V, Shopova G, Urraro F, Arestia A et al. (2019) Safety and efficacy of atrial fibrillation ablation guided by Ablation Index module. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 54 (1): 9-15.
6. Di Giovanni G, Wauters K, Chierchia GB, Sieira J, Levinstein M et al. (2014) One-year follow-up after single procedure Cryoballoon ablation: a comparison between the first and second generation balloon. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 25 (8): 834-839.
7. Jourda F, Providencia R, Marijon E, Bouzeman A, Hireche H et al. (2015) Contact-force guided radiofrequency vs. second-generation balloon cryotherapy for pulmonary vein isolation in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation-a prospective evaluation. Europace 17 (2): 225-231.
8. Zeitler EP, Bunch TJ, Khanna R, et al. “Comparative risk of dementia among patients with atrial fibrillation treated with catheter ablation versus anti-arrhythmic drugs”. American Heart Journal. (2022).
9. Packer DL, Mark DB, Robb RA, et al. Effect of Catheter Ablation vs Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy on Mortality, Stroke, Bleeding, and Cardiac Arrest Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: The CABANA Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2019;321(13):1261–1274.
10. Osorio J, Mansour M, Melby D, et al. “Economic Evaluation of Contact Force Catheter Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation in the United States”. Heart Rhythm. (2022).
11. Lafuente-Lafuente C, Valembois L, Bergmann JF, Belmin J (2015) Antiarrhythmics for maintaining sinus rhythm after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev (3): Cd005049.
12. Mark DB, Anstrom KJ, Sheng S, Piccini JP, Baloch KN, Monahan KH, Daniels MR, Bahnson TD, Poole JE, Rosenberg Y, Lee KL, Packer DL; CABANA Investigators. Effect of Catheter Ablation vs Medical Therapy on Quality of Life Among Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: The CABANA Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2019 Apr 2;321(13):1275-1285. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.0692. Erratum in: JAMA. 2019 Jun 18;321(23):2370. PMID: 30874716; PMCID: PMC6450275.
13. Gupta D, Vijgen J, De Potter T, et al. (2021) Quality of life and healthcare utilisation improvements after atrial fibrillation ablation. BMJ 109(16): 1296-1302.
As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. Only a cardiologist or electrophysiologist can determine whether ablation is an appropriate course of treatment. There are potential risks including bleeding, swelling or bruising at the catheter insertion site, and infection. More serious complications are rare, which can include damage to the heart or blood vessels; blood clots (which may lead to stroke); heart attack, or death. These risks need to be discussed with your doctor and recovery takes time. The success of this procedure depends on many factors, including your physical condition and your body’s ability to tolerate the procedure. Use care in the selection of your doctors and hospital, based on their skill and experience.
The THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH® SF Catheter is indicated for the treatment of drug refractory recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) and for drug refractory recurrent symptomatic persistent AF (continuous AF > 7 days but < 1 year), refractory or intolerant to at least 1 Class I or III AAD, when used with the CARTO® 3 System.
Important information: Prior to use, refer to the instructions for use supplied with this device for indications, contraindications, side effects, warnings and precautions.
Caution: US law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
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