A third-generation cryoablation balloon catheter allows enhanced positioning, helping to improve treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).

The Arctic Front Advance ST Cryoablation Catheter provides a straightforward and efficient approach to pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures by creating circumferential lesions with just two to three applications per vein needed to achieve isolation. The system uses cryogenic energy, which preserves the extracellular matrix (ECM) and endothelial integrity, decreases the risk of thrombus formation, and demonstrates well demarcated lesions.

The third-generation cryoballoon has a 40% shorter tip than the previous (2nd) generation, a design improvement intended to help physicians visualize ablation success in real time when using the catheter in conjunction with the proprietary Achieve Mapping Catheter, an intra-cardiac electrophysiology recording catheter used to assess PVI. The shorter length also allows increased maneuverability when accessing tortuous pulmonary vein anatomies.

The cryoballoon and mapping catheter are part of the Arctic Front Advance System, which also includes the FlexCath Advance steerable sheath, used to deliver the cryoballoon in the left atrium; The Freezor MAX Cardiac cryoablation catheter, a single-point catheter used to provide additional ablations when needed; and The CryoConsole, which houses the coolant, electrical, and mechanical components of the system. All components are manufactured by Medtronic (Dublin, Ireland), and have received the European Community CE marking of approval.

“The next-generation Arctic Front Advance ST Cryoballoon builds upon the successful performance of the Arctic Front Advance System, and its shorter tip was designed in response to physicians' needs in a real-world, clinical setting,” said Reggie Groves, vice president and general manager of the AF solutions business at Medtronic.

Cryoballoon technology offers shorter procedure times than point-by-point radiofrequency (RF) ablation, and better treatment outcomes than drug therapy. It has been shown to improve quality of life for patients and significantly reduce paroxysmal (sporadic) AF symptoms, such as palpitations, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, swelling, and syncope.

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