Stent-Based Non-Invasive Isolation of Pulmonary Veins

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in adults. Current therapies are hampered by high complication and recurrence rates. We investigated a stent-based contactless energy transfer to isolate pulmonary veins in pigs.

Methods: Nitinol self-expanding implants were positioned in the pulmonary veins of pigs. Using electromagnetic wireless energy transfer principles, implants were heated in a controlled fashion. Using an electrophysiological sensing and pacing catheter, signals were checked before and after the ablation, and conduction block persistence acutely and after one month were checked.

Results: 11 animals were successfully treated. Implantation and wireless energy transfer were safely performed in all animals. While pacing with adequate conduction was successful in all animals prior to the ablation, conduction block was shown acutely in all eleven animals and chronically in seven animals. No periprocedural complications occurred, and the eight chronic animals remained in excellent shape until their sacrifice at one & three months. Histology confirmed the physical findings. The detailed results for each group will present.

Conclusions: We have –for the first time- proven that complete isolation of pulmonary veins using a contactless externally applied energy source to correctly positioned implants is safe and feasible, and that long-term isolation of pulmonary veins can thus be accomplished