Magnetically Navigated vs. Manually Guided Radiofrequency in Atrioventricular-node-reentry-tachycardia

Randomized Comparison Between Magnetically Navigated vs Manually Guided Radiofrequency in AV-node-reentry-tachycardia

The MAGMA-AVNRT study compares two different methods of handling the ablation catheters for av-node-reentry-tachycardia with regard to x-ray dose, safety and success: manually guided vs magnetically navigated RF-catheter.

AV-node reentry tachycardia can be treated by radiofrequency ablation or modulation of the slow pathway of the av node. The success rate is 90 to 95%.

There are different options to navigate the ablation catheter: manually guided vs magnetically guided.

For magnetic guidance two magnets are positioned beneath the patient. A mangetic field is induced and a catheter with a ferromagnetic tip can be navigated from outside with a joystick by modifying the vectors of the magnetic field.

We hypothesized that a magnetic guidance of the RF-ablation catheter results in lower x-ray time and dose for the patient and the physician with comparable safety und success rates.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 to 70 years old
• suspected AV-node-reentry-tachycardia
• written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• pregnancy
• contraindication against electrophysiological study or ablation
• congenital heart disease or other anatomical abnormalities
• previous surgical procedure involving atrium except aorto-coronary bypass grafts
• psychiatric disease that makes a completion of study improbable
• severe comorbidities with a life expectancy less than 6 months