Device Moves Esophagus for Cardiac Ablation Procedure

A medical device that has been created by Ohio State University Wexner Medical Centre researchers is meant to increase patient security during cardiac ablation treatments to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib). Currently, during cardiac ablation, the oesophagus can come quite close to the target tissue, which causes esophageal damage in many people. In order to pull the oesophagus gently to one side, away from the ablation equipment, this device is advanced down the oesophagus and exerts mild suction to the esophageal wall, producing a tiny area in which the surgeon can do the surgery more safely.

The conventional method of treating atrial fibrillation involves applying heat or ice to the area of the heart that is malfunctioning. However, the oesophagus is also relatively close, frequently just a few millimetres away. The oesophagus may become injured if the ablation's destructive force comes into contact with it. An atrioesophageal fistula, or hole between the heart and oesophagus, can occasionally result from this and be fatal.

To solve this problem, these researchers created the ESOlution, a brand-new medical device that can delicately shift the oesophagus out of the way during cardiac ablation procedures. The system uses a long stick that may be inserted into the oesophagus until it reaches the desired location, then suction is applied on the esophageal wall before the segment is moved out of the way.