ETMC Offers New Way to Treat Common Form of Atrial Fibrillation

TYLER — Physicians at the ETMC Cardiovascular Institute are among the first in the U.S. to treat paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients with the new Medtronic Arctic Front Advance Cardiac Cryoballoon System and FlexCath Advance Steerable Sheath, according to an ETMC news release. Building upon the what’s termed the proven safety and efficacy of the original system, Medtronic’s second-generation technology provides an efficient approach to treating this common, yet serious, heart rhythm condition, according to ETMC officials. They say it affects approximately three million Americans. Tyler Cardiovascular Consultants, P.A., and ETMC are said to be the first to bring this technology to East Texas.

The Arctic Front Advance System is used in minimally invasive procedures to isolate the pulmonary veins using coolant. Delivered via a catheter, the cryoballoon technology is associated with faster procedure times than point-by-point radiofrequency ablation and better treatment outcomes than drug therapies on the market, EMTC officials say. Additionally, the Arctic Front Advance cryoballoon features the new EvenCool Cryo Technology, which officials say optimizes the delivery of coolant inside the balloon.

“This next-generation cryoballoon technology provides the same high-caliber, clinically validated features of its predecessor, while offering the benefits of greater treatment efficiency,” said Dr. Raul Torres with Tyler Cardiovascular Consultants. “By treating patients with the most advanced, clinically relevant technology, we are better equipped to successfully manage their atrial fibrillation, thereby improving their overall quality-of-life.”