Our Cryoablation Catheter Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation

ARCTIC FRONT ADVANCE CRYOBALLOON IN ACTION

Cryoablation prevents unwanted electrical signals from traveling from the pulmonary veins (large blood vessels that carry blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart) and spreading to the atria (the upper chambers of the heart). This is done with a technique known as pulmonary vein isolation that targets the tissue where the veins and the atria connect and prevents the spread of unwanted electrical signals. The Arctic Front Advance Cryoballoon catheter was developed specifically to achieve pulmonary vein isolation.

The physician makes a small incision in the groin area through which to insert the catheter. To provide access to the left atrium, he/she must create a puncture in the wall that separates the left and right sides of the heart. The cryoballoon is then advanced to the left atrium.

The physician inflates the balloon and moves it to the opening of the pulmonary vein. The goal is to temporarily close off the opening of the pulmonary vein completely, which stops blood flow between the atrium and the vein (this is called occlusion).

When occlusion is confirmed, the physician introduces liquid refrigerant into the balloon. At the opening of the pulmonary vein where the balloon makes contact, the refrigerant removes heat from the heart tissue. As a result, the tissue is scarred and may no longer transmit the electrical signals that cause atrial fibrillation.