Patients in the European Union with irregular heart rhythms may now benefit from treatment with a new catheter designed to reduce char and thrombus formation during ablation and give physicians improved range of motion during procedures to eliminate abnormal heart rhythms.

The new EZ Steer Thermocool Bi-Directional catheter, made by Biosense Webster (Diamond Bar, California), a Johnson & Johnson (New Brunswick, New Jersey) company, is a bi-directional catheter with an open irrigation tip available in the EU. The British Standards Institution approved the device for marketing in March and the company said it is now available throughout the EU.

"A one-to-one response to manipulation and the two curves-in-one functionality means that this catheter can map and ablate parts of the heart that are otherwise difficult to reach," said Dipen Shah, of University Hospital (Geneva, Switzerland). Shah was the first electrophysiologist in Europe to use the new catheter. "The bidirectional steerability allows the achievement of excellent tissue contact not only by active tip flexion but also by active tip extension. In my opinion, this is a significant improvement, particularly for complex ablation."

The Thermocool irrigated tip catheter technology is designed to maintain safe tip-to-tissue temperatures, ultimately reducing the risk of coagulum and char from high-temperature ablation, according to Biosense.

To better diagnose and treat certain arrhythmias, the EZ Steer technology incorporates an ergonomically-inspired handle, a special design that aids comfort and provides the physician with a feeling of "direct connection" with the catheter tip and target ablation area, Biosense said. The device also acts as two curves in one catheter that gives doctors more continuity and procedural versatility.

Additionally, greater control of power delivery allows the physician to apply the energy needed to create a wider variety of lesion types. When paired with the Stockert RF Generator and the Coolflow pump, specifically designed to support the Thermocool catheter, the supported EZ Steer Thermocool bi-directional catheter is unique for its versatility, according to the company.

"As leaders in electrophysiology, we take pride in transforming insightful ideas from the electrophysiology lab into enhanced technologies that improve procedures and make a difference for patients," said Shlomi Nachman, president of Biosense.

Biosense provides diagnostic, therapeutic and mapping tools.