Robotic catheter ablation

[Pinetar]

Hi, I’m scheduled for robotic catheter ablation with the Stereotaxis system. I’ve had PVCs (pre-ventricular contractions, an arrhythmia not mentioned much in these posts) since my early teens (for about 50 years), and a recent holter showed that 21% of my heartbeats are now irregular. Monitored but untreated for decades, then started on Metoprolol ten years ago, switched to propranolol bc of intestinal side effects, and then flecainide which is not effective and gives me nausea and headaches. Over the past 10-15 years, my episodes have gotten longer and more uncomfortable (current episode began 7 months ago). I have been reassured over all these years that PVCs are benign, but am now at at higher risk for heart failure at this rate.

I’ve done lots of reading on the stereotaxis website and it seems to use much less radiation. The catheter is guided by two large magnets and is much more flexible than manual catheters, decreasing damage risk along the way, making tighter turns, and increasing accuracy with lesion placing. Only 100 hospitals in the country use it (the website has an interactive map to show where it’s available).

Any one out there know of, or had experience with, the robotic procedure??

[BobD Volunteer]

Here in UK a number of EPs have worked with robotic devices for catheter ablation. Their main advantage apparently is less radiation for the operator who sits outside whilst the patient is still exposed. It means that staff do not have to wear the lead lined aprons and smocks so less tiredness .

The radiation ( X ray) levels really depend on the pulse rate used for the camera system which does vary from centre to centre I believe. (What I mean here is that the camera guiding the ablation catheter does not use continuous X ray but a pulsed one . Old cathode ray tube TVs used a scanning pulse originally of 425 lines and later when colour arrived 625 lines and I think the principle is similar. )

Regarding PVC.-( Premature ventricular contractions) I think you may not have noticed that we talk a lot about ectopics. Same thing. It is almost a constant chatter so not sure why you think they are never mentioned. Ectopics can be either PVC or PACs but the affect is the same, a bump in the chest, just slightly different mechanics.

[Pinetar in reply to BobD]

Thanks for the clarifications. I will add “ectopics” to my search. It’s not a word that has been used by my docs for many years, and I just plum forgot it was synonymous.