In the golden autumn of October, Prof. Jose Luis Merino, President of EHRA (2022-2024), conducted an interview at the Arrhythmia Center of Fuwai Hospital, Beijing. The electrophysiology team, led by Prof. Yao Yan, held extensive discussions with Prof. Merino on the past, present, and future of arrhythmia treatment in China. They also engaged in discussions on how to better apply Abbott’s newly lunched EnSite-X 3D mapping system to different types of atrial and ventricular surgeries in clinical practice.
Part1
On the morning of October 8, Prof. Jose Luis Merino arrived at cath lab of the Arrhythmia Center, Fuwai Hospital. Director Prof. Yao Yan showed him around the entire interventional cath lab. Prof. Merino was deeply impressed by the rapid development of both the software and hardware in Chinese cath labs. He also expressed amazement at the large number of arrhythmia patients and surgeries in China, and the efficiency in turnover between operations. There are many things that overseas hospitals and doctors can learn from.
Part2
After the introduction, Director Prof. Yao Yan conducted a paroxysmal atrial fibrillation surgery using the EnSite-X system with expert precision. Throughout the procedure, the two professors engaged in frequent interactions, discussing how these new technologies and products could be better applied in surgeries. For instance, the new generation EnSite-X system is currently the only 3D mapping system on the market that can provide both electric and magnetic field navigation, allowing clinicians to freely switch between modes based on clinical needs. The EnSite-X VOXEL (magnetic field navigation mode) relies solely on the relative position of three PRS (Position Reference Sensors) behind the patient to stabilize the model. This greatly improves model stability and minimizes inaccuracy caused by patient movement. Since its introduction to China, the EnSite-X system has received widespread praise from doctors like Prof. Yao Yan from other hospitals.
Part3
After observing the surgery, Prof. Jose Luis Merino had discussions with Prof. Ding Ligang and a group of young and mid-aged key surgeons. The focus of their conversation was on the two latest mapping algorithms integrated into the EnSite-X system: OT (Omnipolar Technology) and NF (Near-Field Mapping). Prof. Merino shared his experiences using the HD GRID with OT/NF in Europe for treating atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and persistent atrial fibrillation. He explained how EnSite-X mapping system rapidly provides real-time, intuitive, and accurate activation maps, voltage maps, and peak frequency maps, helping surgeons filter through large amounts of complex mapping data. This enables them to make the correct ablation strategy, significantly improving surgery success rates. It also reduces the need for repeated mapping or ablation due to inaccurate or overly complex information, cutting down on unnecessary operative time.
