How do we find our way when the path is complex and unfamiliar?

We navigate our route through GPS, with the help of real-time mapping and continuous feedback at every turn. Accessing the human heart is somewhat similar. It requires precise directions and advanced tools to navigate the treatment of cardiac conditions like atrial fibrillation, in which the heart beats irregularly.

Abbott has newly launched the TactiFlex™ Sensor Enabled™ Ablation Catheter and EnSite™ X EP System. With this technology, physicians now get the detailed guidance and control they need to pinpoint and treat the exact source of the problem, bringing the heart back into rhythm.

A Technological Leap in Cardiac Ablation

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart rhythm disorder or arrhythmia, affecting over 37 million people worldwide. It occurs when the heart’s electrical signals misfire, causing the upper chambers (atria) to quiver instead of contract as they normally do.

“For those suffering from atrial fibrillation, daily tasks can be challenging due to dizziness, chest pain and heart palpitations. If left untreated, atrial fibrillation can also lead to a stroke, making it critical to address the issue as early as possible,” says Henry Cheng, General Manager, Asia and Director Strategy, Asia Pacific for Abbott’s Electrophysiology business.

The standard treatment for this condition is ablation, a therapy where a catheter is used to deliver targeted energy that scars and blocks faulty electrical signals. Abbott has introduced TactiFlex™ Sensor Enabled™ Ablation Catheter, the first of its kind to combine a flexible electrode tip with contact force sensing technology.“ This device helps doctors restore normal heart rhythm by guiding electrical currents back to their proper pathways,” says Henry Cheng.

Melding Flexibility with Force

TactiFlex™ adapts seamlessly to the heart’s natural movements. “Unlike other catheters, the TactiFlex™ catheter uses a tip design with a laser-cut pattern that flexes when in contact with the heart wall. This helps direct fluid to the treated tissue and allows for more accurate positioning of the catheter — providing up to two-times higher stability in a beating heart, for consistent therapy delivery,” said Rahul Sharma, Country Manager for Abbott’s Electrophysiology business.

The catheter is used in conjunction with Abbott’s EnSite™ X EP System, to map the heart’s electrical pathways in high detail and identify the exact spots that need to be treated. This integration significantly reduces procedure times and enhances safety, allowing doctors to manoeuvre challenging anatomies with greater confidence and ensure better patient outcomes. By enhancing precision, safety and speed, this innovation represents a major advancement in the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

Why This Innovation Matters Now

While atrial fibrillation prevalence varies across India, ranging from 0.1% to 1.6% in some regions, the number of diagnosed cases continues to rise. As healthcare infrastructure evolves and diagnostic capabilities improve, advanced, minimally invasive treatment solutions present an opportunity for better care.

Health innovations like Abbott’s TactiFlex™ Sensor Enabled™ Ablation Catheter and EnSite™ X EP System offer exactly this. They give people a chance to recover faster and return to daily life with ease, knowing that they are receiving the best possible care.

Disclaimer: The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive /for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor’s advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information.