Robotic magnetic navigation may reduce silent cerebral embolism risk after AF ablation

Compared with manual contact catheters, robotic magnetic navigation reduced risk for silent cerebral embolism after atrial fibrillation ablation procedures, researchers reported in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine.

The researchers analyzed 166 patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF who underwent pulmonary vein isolation with manual contact catheters or robotic magnetic navigation technology (Genesis RMN, Stereotaxis).

“The results of this study further strengthen the significant safety and efficacy benefits we have experienced using robotic technology to treat over 600 arrhythmia patients,” Ru-Xing Wang, MD, director of cardiology at Wuxi People’s Hospital in Wuxi, China, said in a press release. “We are grateful to offer our patients the best possible care and look forward to advance clinical research and robotic technology development.”

All patients underwent cerebral MRI within 48 hours before the procedure and 48 hours after it to assess for cerebral embolism.

The incidence of silent cerebral embolism was 5.77% in the robotic magnetic navigation group and 32.26% in the manual contact group (X² = 20.63; P < .001), the researchers wrote.

In a univariate logistic regression analysis, factors associated with silent cerebral embolism included manual ablation technology, CHA₂DS₂-VASc score, history of cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack and low ejection fraction (P < .05 for all).

However, when the researchers performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis, they found the only independent predictor of silent cerebral embolism was manual ablation technology (OR = 7.78; 95% CI, 2.92-20.75; P < .001).

“This pioneering research on an often overlooked aspect of cardiac ablation demonstrates that technology innovation can meaningfully improve patient safety,” Yan Yao, MD, director of the Arrhythmia Center at Fuwai Hospital in Beijing, said in the release. “This strong data supports our decision to build a world-class robotic cardiac center of excellence in Beijing.”

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