John C Lincoln North Mountain Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, is the first hospital in Arizona, and only one of eight hospitals in the USA, utilising the MediGuide technology to reduce or eliminate radiation for minimally invasive cardiac procedures, according to a press release from John C Lincoln Health Network.
MediGuide is a 3D navigation system intended for the evaluation of vascular and cardiac anatomy on a recorded fluoroscopic image instead of live fluoroscopy (a series of X-ray images). Procedures using MediGuide include patients with cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT), and device implantations such as pacemakers and defibrillators.
“I am pleased that John C Lincoln invested in this technology to create optimal outcomes for patients with safety at top of mind,” says Mark Seifert, electrophysiologist at John C Lincoln North Mountain Hospital. “MediGuide is the only real-time cardiac navigation system to allow for reduced fluoroscopy during cardiac procedures.”
MediGuide uses low-powered electromagnetic signals to locate a miniature sensor, which is placed in the tip of the catheter. It provides physicians with the precise position of the sensor-enabled catheters and tools to create recorded images within the cardiac anatomy. The use of recorded images allows physicians to reduce radiation exposure during cardiovascular procedures.
“Risks associated with fluoroscopy can include radiation burns to skin and underlying tissue and radiation-induced cancers, which may occur sometime later in life,” says Seifert.
