Overview

The Convergent Procedure combines the best techniques of Electrophysiologists and Cardiovascular Surgeons to provide a truly minimally invasive treatment solution for AF patients in a single procedure.

The primary purpose of this procedure is to offer a viable treatment alternative for atrial fibrillation patients who have failed other ablations or with enlarged atria (>4.5cm), often indicative of structural heart disease. The nContact coagulation system is used by the surgeon to create a comprehensive bi-atrial lesion pattern on the outside of a beating heart without the need for chest incisions. In the same setting, an electrophysiologist (EP) then uses an ablation catheter to complete the lesion pattern endocardially (from inside the atrium) and diagnostically check that all reentrant circuits have been interrupted. 

The surgical portion of the Convergent Procedure utilizes trans-diaphragmatic access to the heart, eliminating the need for chest incisions and deflation of the lungs. The ability to create lesions under endoscopic visualization allows lesions to be connected into a biatrial pattern. Previous surgical ablation studies have demonstrated  the benefit of comprehensive bi-atrial lesion patterns to improve efficacy. To ensure that lesions are complete and connected with target areas isolated, electrophysiologists (EPs) utilize endocardial ablation and sophisticated diagnostic capabilities. The combination of a multi-disciplinary approach allows for a more comprehensive, and  complete procedure because all available techniques and technologies of both disciplines are being utilized in a single setting to ensure outcomes.

Post-ablation voltage map posterior LA isolation (CARTO™)	Post-ablation voltage map posterior LA isolation (NAVX™)

   The successful achievement of intra-operative diagnostic metrics predict successful patient outcomes.