Abbott has announced that the company’s TactiFlex ablation catheter has been used for the first time in Canada at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, to treat atrial fibrillation (AF).
The company describes the device as the world’s first ablation catheter with a flexible tip and contact force technology.
“Daily life for those suffering from AFib can be challenging as a person may feel dizzy, suffer from chest pain and heart palpitations. If left untreated, AF can lead to stroke and other complications, so early and effective treatment is critical,” said Carlos Morillo (Libin Cardiovascular Institute at the University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). “As catheter ablation remains the most effective therapy in reducing the burden of an arrhythmia, Abbott’s TactiFlex is an innovative catheter technology that can improve patient outcomes.”
The TactiFlex SE catheter is designed to be used with Abbott’s EnSite X EP heart mapping system, which allows physicians to view and precisely identify areas in the heart that require ablation. The catheter uses a tip design with a laser-cut pattern that flexes when in contact with the heart wall. This is intended to help direct fluid to the treated tissue and allows for more accurate positioning of the catheter.
“Abbott is leading the way in helping doctors manage common arrhythmias with the most holistic portfolio for this condition in the world,” said Christopher Piorkowski, chief medical officer of Abbott’s electrophysiology business. “The EnSite X EP system is unmatched in determining the exact location where ablation is required. Coupled with the TactiFlex catheter, patients can now feel even more confident that their procedure will deliver safe and effective results.”
The TactiFlex SE catheter was approved in Canada on July 2023. It is also approved for use in the USA, Europe, Japan, Africa and Australia.
