Preclinical Study Examines Use of nContact's Technology in Enabling a Percutaneous Device Approach to Epicardial Ablation

MORRISVILLE, N.C., Feb. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- nContact, Inc., the leading innovator in epicardial ablation devices, today announced that a new preclinical study examines a unique minimally invasive percutaneous approach to accessing the heart that may enable electrophysiologists (EPs) to perform epicardial ablation for ventricular tachycardia (VT). The study was published in the February 2012 issue of The Journal of Innovations in Cardiac Rhythm Management.

In the study, "Creating Transmural, Linear Epicardial Ablation Lesions via a Non-surgical, Percutaneous, Subxyphoid, Electrogram-guided Approach," researchers sought to modify an existing epicardial ablation device's (nContact's EPi-Sense® Guided Coagulation Device with VisiTrax®) transdiaphragmatic approach to a percutaneous subxyphoid (below the sternum) approach that could enable epicardial ablation without requiring a more invasive surgical access. The EPi-Sense® system has been used clinically in Europe for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and investigators in this study suggest it may also be suitable for the treatment of sinus tachycardia and challenging VT. 

"In this study, we examined for the first time a truly minimally invasive, 'incisionless' approach to performing epicardial ablation. Clinical experience has shown that VT and other arrhythmias originating on the epicardial aspect of the heart may not respond to endocardial ablation, suggesting the need for less invasive tools designed to create lesions on the epicardium," said lead investigator Miguel Valderrabano, MD, FACC of The Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX. "While further studies are needed on the applicability of this technique in clinical electrophysiology, our findings suggest it may expand the capabilities of EP-guided ablation and offer promising clinical utility in addressing VT."

For this preclinical study, researchers performed epicardial ablation on six pigs with a percutaneous subxyphoid puncture access. Under fluoroscopy, a guide wire was advanced through the needle puncture into the pericardial space and the subcutaneous tissue was dilated with an angioplasty balloon, allowing physicians to advance the EPi-Sense® device into the pericardium without endoscopy or surgical tools. Utilizing fluoro imaging and mapping diagnostics, physicians were able to position the device by manipulating the wire, and tissue contact was verified by sensing electrodes embedded in the device's ablation coil. Epicardial ablation was then performed on both atria and both ventricles, with explanted hearts confirming the accuracy of lesion locations and consistent lesion transmurality.

"We are pleased that our technology is facilitating continued physician innovation in cardiac ablation and potentially opening new avenues for the epicardial treatment of VT," said John Funkhouser, President and CEO of nContact. "We are continuing to innovate and lead the epicardial ablation space with easier  'incisionless' access and sensing capabilities in our device  to allow electrophysiologists to map  the precise location of our device in order to properly position the device on the ventricle."

For more information on nContact's technology, please visit www.ncontactinc.com and www.ncontactinc.eu .

About nContact, Inc.
nContact, Inc. is the leading innovator in epicardial ablation devices and techniques. Its mission is to transform the underserved arrhythmia market through the advancement of less invasive, more efficacious ablation alternatives for cardiac arrhythmias. Its lead technologies, the EPi-Sense® and Numeris® Coagulation System with VisiTrax®, have CE Mark approval in Europe for the coagulation of cardiac tissue for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.

The Numeris® Coagulation System with VisiTrax® is indicated for endoscopic coagulation of cardiac tissue in the United States.  nContact was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, U.S.A.

SOURCE nContact, Inc.