A new irrigated ablation catheter launched in the EU offers unique cooling properties for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.

The first clinical applications in Europe with the new Thermocool SF Irrigated Ablation catheter from Biosense Webster have been completed, following CE Mark approval.

The Thermocool SF catheter is the next generation in irrigated ablation catheters, used by electrophysiologists to treat cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat rhythms).

Its porous tip design allows uniform cooling across the entire catheter tip, allowing more efficient fluid delivery within the catheter - leading to efficient cooling at half the flow rate.

"The Thermocool SF Irrigated Catheter is the latest advancement in irrigated ablation catheter design with its groundbreaking and unique porous tip technology," said Shlomi Nachman, Worldwide President, Biosense Webster, Inc. "We are extremely pleased this exciting new product will be launched throughout the European Union over the coming months.

"Procedure time and safety concerns are consistently cited by EPs as the most significant barrier to increased use of ablation therapy to treat cardiac arrhythmias. All of our products are being developed with the aim of addressing these concerns."

Prof. Gerd Hindricks of the Heart Center at the University of Leipzig Hospital commented: "The Thermocool SF catheter is a new and exciting technology that represents a significant advancement in irrigated ablation for electrophysiologists. My first clinical experience indicates that due to the strategic placement of the holes around the entire surface area of the tip, cooling efficiency and lesion induction may be improved to complete atrial fibrillation ablation procedures in a safe, effective and timely manner."

Biosense Webster, Inc. is a Johnson & Johnson company.