For the first time in Poland and this part of Europe, doctors have successfully mapped a heart using 3D technology and performed planar electroablation to eliminate atrial fibrillation, announced Dr. Jakub Baran, Head of the Electrophysiology Laboratory at Dzieciątka Jezus Hospital, UCK WUM.
The groundbreaking procedure was carried out on Thursday. According to Dr. Baran, the advanced 3D mapping and planar electroablation system enables the treatment of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation in a manner that is “effective, safe, and involves significantly lower exposure to X-ray radiation than previous methods.”
Cutting-Edge Technology for Precision Treatment
Previously, medical teams had access to an older, less advanced version of the system, which, in comparison to the latest technology, seemed “as outdated as 19th-century equipment,” Dr. Baran explained.
The new system uses a large electrode resembling a flower to create a virtual 3D model of the patient’s heart. Using the same electrode, the doctor then performs ablation—destroying small heart tissue fragments responsible for arrhythmia with electrical current. This technique is “very shallow but highly effective, rendering the muscle inactive,” Dr. Baran detailed.
Surgeons monitor a real-time 3D model of the heart on screen, allowing for unparalleled precision in selecting ablation areas. “We can assess heart viability and determine the extent of the required intervention. If the heart is significantly damaged, the procedure must be more extensive; otherwise, pulmonary vein isolation may suffice,” the specialist explained. This level of accuracy helps avoid damage to surrounding structures such as the esophagus, coronary vessels, or bronchi—one of the most significant advantages of the new system.
A Paradigm Shift in Cardiac Ablation
Previously, heart monitoring was only possible through X-ray imaging, offering a limited 2D perspective. According to Dr. Baran, the introduction of real-time 3D visualization is a “Copernican revolution” in cardiac treatment. Additionally, the procedure time has been drastically reduced—from 10-20 minutes to just 30 seconds to one minute—minimizing X-ray exposure for both patients and medical teams.
The shortened procedure time allows for more operations to be conducted in a single day, benefiting a greater number of patients. This efficiency is due not only to improved precision but also to the electrode’s design. Its larger “flower-like” head enables broader tissue ablation in a single application compared to traditional point-by-point ablation. On average, 8-10 square centimeters of heart tissue need to be treated per procedure.
Future Expansion and Training
The same state-of-the-art system used for the first time in Warsaw is expected to be deployed in two more clinical centers—in Poznań and Wrocław. However, due to the high cost, hospitals rent the equipment from the manufacturer and purchase single-use electrodes as needed.
Dr. Baran highlighted that the manufacturer selectively rents out the equipment only to experienced specialists who can provide valuable feedback for ongoing system improvements. “Once we master this tool, we will train other doctors on its use,” he concluded.
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