First experience with a transseptal puncture using a novel transseptal crossing device with integrated dilator and needle

First experience with the novel AcQCross™️ Qx system combined with Medtronic FlexCath TM Advance steerable sheath for cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation.

“…So far, a few experiences with the AcQCross[?] Qx system have been published 1,6,7 , which documented safety and improved procedural efficacy, as the time needed for TSP was significantly lower in AcQCross Qx groups as compared to traditional TSP approach. The main novelty of our approach consists in TSP monitoring.…”

“…The main novelty of our approach consists in TSP monitoring. While Rizzi et al 1 and Yap et al 6,7 performed TSP respectively under transesophageal echocardiography monitoring the former and intracardiac imaging the latter, we chose to safely perform TSP with AcQCross[?] Qx system under fluoroscopy monitoring.…”

“…Transseptal puncture (TSP) is the crucial step in a variety of cardiac procedures, including left side ablations 1 . The TSP technique was introduced into clinical practice during the late 1950s by Ross et al 2 , and over the years the procedure has remained unchanged, except for the introduction of a new needle by Brockenbrough 3 in 1960s.…”

Integrated dilator‐needle transseptal crossing device in atrial fibrillation cryoballoon ablation procedures

“…CBA technique has evolved over the years with some modifications to optimize the procedural workflow: single‐freeze strategy (eliminating a bonus freeze), shorter freezing application (180 vs. 240 s), time‐to‐isolation‐guided ablation, shorter distal tip, fluoroscopy exposure reduction, and the use of a figure‐of‐8 suture 3–5 . In this sense, the AcQCross system (Medtronic), a novel integrated dilator‐needle system, was recently introduced to reduce the number of exchanges for a transseptal access (TSA) 6 . In CBA procedures, left atrium (LA) access is generally achieved using a standard sheath that is exchanged for the 12F cryoballoon delivery sheath and dilator over a long wire.…”

Design and Development of a Novel Force-Sensing Robotic System for the Transseptal Puncture in Left Atrial Catheter Ablation

“…Yet, they all require significant alteration of the conventional TSP kit (Figure 1). One example is the "all-in-one" integrated transseptal crossing device for TSP developed by Rizzi et al [11]. Other examples include a radiofrequency needle for TSP [12], and a transseptal approach using a non-fluoroscopic technique [13], [14].…”