Cardiac ablation and mapping
Efficiency best practices
• Predictability matters
• Safe, effective, efficient procedures
• Drive efficiency. Maximize capacity.
• Restoring life’s rhythm. And the lab’s.
Predictability matters.
Predictability in AF ablation procedures can positively affect EP lab capacity. Medtronic cryoballoon’s anatomical design efficiently contributes to this outcome.2
Ablation procedures performed with the anatomical design are more predictable when compared to contact-force radiofrequency procedures.2
Anatomical design
N: 570
Mean: 84.7 minutes
Standard deviation: 20.5
Frequency of greater than 1.5× median: 3.0%
Contact-force RF
N: 595
Mean: 171.3 minutes
Standard deviation: 48.2
Frequency of greater than 1.5× median: 8.9%
Safe, effective, efficient procedures
Due to its safety and efficacy profile, and short procedural time, Medtronic cryoballoon ablation is the preferable option for AF ablation.3
Cryoballoon ablation is associated with a 21-minute shorter procedural time (p < 0.001) when compared with RF ablation.3
21-minute shorter procedural time
Drive efficiency. Maximize capacity.
Medtronic cryoballoon ablation supports EP lab efficiencies transition from two to three PVI cases per day with focus on two operational areas4:
- Overall lab occupancy time can be improved with shorter “skin-to-skin” procedure time, which can be influenced by catheter choice and associated learning curve for operator and staff.
- Overall scheduling approach can be adjusted by extending the length of standard lab hours per day through split nursing shifts, efficient room turnover, and removing the restriction of case start times due to block scheduling.
50%
increase in total cases4
> 90%
of EP lab days without overtime4
> 60%
of days with time for one additional non-ablation procedure4
Restoring life’s rhythm. And the lab’s.
The Medtronic cryoballoon’s unique design enables additional protocols for consideration, including same-day discharge, fluoroscopy reduction, and moderate sedation. Learn more about the evidence and see it in action.
Evidence
Same-day discharge may be safe and feasible in select patients†,5 and has potential to reduce healthcare costs.
Low rate of PVI-related complications and readmissions occurred in the SDD group:
- 0.8% PVI-related complication rate
- 3.6% hospital readmission rate
When 50% of every 100 patients had SDD, hospital cost savings ranged from $45,825 to $83,813 per year across geographically diverse U.S. hospitals.
)
Evidence
PVI using the Medtronic cryoballoon can be performed with low fluoroscopy and no radiopaque contrast agent.
Over 46 months, a progressive reduction in fluoroscopy time and radiation exposure to patients and staff was found, without an increase in complications and without compromising the goal of achieving complete PVI.6
Common practices and tools include:
- Using 3D navigation and ICE
- Pressure waveform monitoring and Doppler imaging
- Using a cryoballoon dosing algorithm
- When using fluoroscopy, minimize radiation exposure through slower fluoroscopy frame rate; collimator management, Y-axis gantry changes; and annual calibration of the fluoroscopy system
Evidence
Moderate sedation can be used with Medtronic cryoballoon,7 which may benefit patient and hospital including:
- Avoidance of risks associated with intubation and required additional monitoring
- Faster patient recovery
- Fewer challenges coordinating EPs and anesthesia for AF procedures
- Lower hospital costs
When analgesics and/or sedatives are used, follow breathing management practices per treatment guidelines. At all times, it is the professional responsibility of the practitioner to exercise independent clinical judgment in a particular situation.
More resources available on Medtronic Academy
Learn more about predictability, efficiency, and additional protocols and access peer-to-peer programs, manuals, and further education on Medtronic Academy.