- Abbott introduced the world's first ablation catheter with a
flexible tip and contact force technology, used to perform an
ablation procedure to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- First successful treatment in Canada - Abbott's innovative technology
enables physicians to have better visualization allowing for more
accuracy and precision, leading to reduced procedure times and
better safety
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Sept. 19,
2023 /CNW/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced that
the company's TactiFlex™ Ablation Catheter, Sensor Enabled™, the
world's first ablation catheter with a flexible tip and contact
force technology, has been used for the first time in Canada at the Foothills Medical Centre in
Calgary, Alberta, to treat atrial
fibrillation (AFib).
AFib is a type of irregular heart rhythm, also known as an
arrhythmia, that affects between 500,000 to nearly one million
Canadians.1 If left untreated, the two main
complications of AFib are stroke and heart failure. For those over
the age of 40, one in four of all strokes are caused by
AFib.2 Fortunately, with proper treatment, most people
with AFib can lead normal and active lives.
Use of Abbott's TactiFlex SE catheter can result in reduced
procedure times by 25%.3
"Daily life for those suffering from AFib can be challenging as
a person may feel dizzy, suffer from chest pain and heart
palpitations. If left untreated, AFib can lead to stroke and other
complications, so early and effective treatment is critical," said
Carlos Morillo, M.D., cardiologist
and member of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute at the
University of Calgary. "As catheter
ablation remains the most effective therapy in reducing the burden
of an arrhythmia, Abbott's TactiFlex is an innovative catheter
technology that can improve patient outcomes."
More than 37 million people worldwide live with AFib4
and numbers are predicted to more than double by 2050.5
An additional five million6 cases are diagnosed every
year, indicating a growing health challenge that demands innovative
solutions for patients and their physicians.
New Catheter Pairs with Abbott's Other Best-in-Class
Solutions for AFib Patients
The TactiFlex SE catheter is
designed to be used with Abbott's EnSite X EP System, an industry-
leading heart mapping system, which allows physicians to view and
precisely identify areas in the heart that require ablation.
Unlike other catheters on the market, the TactiFlex SE catheter
uses a tip design with a laser-cut pattern that flexes when in
contact with the heart wall. This helps direct fluid to the treated
tissue3 and allows for more accurate positioning of the
catheter – providing up to two-times higher stability in a beating
heart – for consistent therapy delivery.7
"Abbott is leading the way in helping doctors manage common
arrhythmias with the most holistic portfolio for this condition in
the world," said Christopher
Piorkowski, M.D., chief medical officer of Abbott's
electrophysiology business. "The EnSite X EP System is unmatched in
determining the exact location where ablation is required. Coupled
with the TactiFlex catheter, patients can now feel even more
confident that their procedure will deliver safe and effective
results."
The Abbott TactiFlex SE catheter generated strong clinical
outcomes in the TactiFlex AF IDE study.8 The study
showed the catheter created fast, safe lesions to treat AFib with
over 99% acute procedural success.3
The TactiFlex SE catheter was approved in Canada on July
2023. It is also approved for use in the United States, Europe, Japan, Africa
and Australia.
For important safety information on Abbott's TactiFlex™ Ablation
Catheter, Sensor Enabled™, visit: medical.abbott/manuals.
About Abbott
Abbott is a global healthcare leader that
helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio
of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare,
with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical
devices, nutritional and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000
colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.
Connect with us at www.ca.abbott/en , on LinkedIn at
www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.
1 Andrade J, et al. The 2020 Canadian Cardiovascular
Society/Canadian Heart Rhythm Society Comprehensive Guidelines for
the Management of Atrial Fibrillation. Canadian Journal of
Cardiology. 2020;36:1847-1948.
https://www.onlinecjc.ca/article/S0828-282X(20)30991-0/fulltext.
2 Atrial Fibrillation. Heart & Stroke. Accessed on
August 24, 2023.
https://www.heartandstroke.ca/heart-disease/conditions/atrial-fibrillation.
3 CL1017540 TactiFlex PAF IDE PMA Report.
4 Morillo CA, Banerjee A, Perel P, Wood D, Jouven X.
Atrial fibrillation: the current epidemic. J Geriatr Cardiol. 2017
Mar;14(3):195-203. doi: 10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2017.03.011.
PMID: 28592963; PMCID: PMC5460066.
5 Go AS, Hylek EM, Phillips KA, et al. Prevalence of
Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation in Adults: National Implications for
Rhythm Management and Stroke Prevention: the AnTicoagulation and
Risk Factors In Atrial Fibrillation (ATRIA) Study. JAMA.
2001;285(18):2370–2375. doi:10.1001/jama.285.18.2370.
6 Compared to conventional 56-hole catheters.
Ambrosius Nick, Fish Jeffrey, &
Tranter John. Flexible, Kerfed Ablation Catheter Tip Provides
Superior Stability in a Bench Model APHRS 2018: Abstract Book;
2018, October 17- 18; Taipei, Taiwan. Abstract nr 1170.
7 Compared to conventional 56-hole catheters.
Ambrosius Nick, Fish Jeffrey, &
Tranter John. Flexible, Kerfed Ablation Catheter Tip Provides
Superior Stability in a Bench Model APHRS 2018: Abstract Book;
2018, October 17-18; Taipei, Taiwan. Abstract nr 1170.
8 CL1019990 TactiFlex PAF IDE As Treated Repeat
Procedure Details.
MAT-2310442 v1.0
SOURCE Abbott