Acutus Medical presented data that show the AcQMap High Resolution, Imaging and Mapping System generates a complete heart chamber electrical map that provides a four-fold improvement in resolution to record and display heart tissue function as compared to the standard voltage-based mapping used in patients with atrial flutter. The data were presented at the Heart Rhythm Society’s 36th Annual Scientific Sessions (13–16 May, Boston, USA).
The EP mapping systems used during catheter ablation procedures capture and display a voltage field generated by heart tissue during activation. This voltage field records over a large area of heart tissue at each catheter placement and what is seen by the electrophysiologist is an average of all the tissue around the catheter, reducing the resolution. This makes it difficult for the electrophysiologist to see the heart tissue in its “true” resolution and limits the possibility to map accurately and simply diagnosis irregular and complex arrhythmias.
“The higher resolution image generated by the AcQMap System may open the possibility to truly map irregular heart rhythms with more precision and eliminate the unnecessary guesswork and lengthy procedures common today among even the most experienced electrophysiologist,” says Stephan Willems, University Heart Center, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. “The data also show the potential of the AcQMap System to change clinical practice and improve treatment outcomes in patients with irregular and complex heart rhythm disorders.”
The AcQMap System is designed to generate real-time, 3D images of the heart chamber with quality equivalent to a computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging scan in a matter of minutes. The System can detect and display both the standard voltage based maps as well as the higher resolution dipole density maps. The result of combining highly accurate imaging with higher resolution mapping capabilities enables electrophysiologists to identify and locate the responsible tissue for the irregular heart rhythm, target treatment and minimise heart ablation.
“Catheter ablation is a common treatment for heart rhythm disorders including atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation, but long-term success rates are low and limitations of voltage-based cardiac mapping technologies are in part to blame,” says Randy Werneth, president and chief executive officer of Acutus Medical. “We believe the AcQMap System can fulfil a significant unmet need in the treatment of irregular and complex heart rhythm disorders and look forward to continuing to build a body of evidence that supports its utility in the electrophysiology lab.”
