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Blazer II XP Cardiac Ablation Catheter, EPT-1000 XP Cardiac Ablation Controller and Accessories - P020025

 Diagram of the Blazer II XP Cardiac Ablation Catheter and the EPT 100 XP Cardiac Ablation Controller and Accessories

This is a brief overview of information related to FDA's approval to market this product. See the links below to the Summary of Safety and Effectiveness and product labeling for more complete information on this product, its indications for use, and the basis for FDA's approval.

Product Name: Blazer II XP Cardiac Ablation Catheter, EPT-1000 XP Cardiac Ablation Controller and Accessories
Manufacturer: Boston Scientific Corporation, Electrophysiology Division
Address: 2710 Orchard Parkway, San Jose, CA 95134
Approval Date: August 25, 2003
Approval Letter: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/pdf2/P020025a.pdf

What is it? A catheter is a flexible plastic tube about the thickness of a piece of spaghetti that can be placed into a body cavity. An “ablation catheter” is a catheter used to destroy (or ablate) abnormal tissue. An ablation catheter for the heart has wires running on the inside of the tube. The wires connect to an electrical system that allows a physician to view the heart’s action on a viewing screen. This ablation catheter is also connected to a generator that delivers energy (radiofrequency – RF waves) to the tip of the catheter in the heart. The RF energy generates heat that destroys abnormal heart tissue responsible for causing an abnormal heart beat (tachycardia).

How does it work? The catheter is put into a vein near the groin at the top of the leg (femoral vein). It is then threaded through the vein into the chambers of the heart. The end of the catheter outside the body is connected to an electrical system that allows the physician to view the beating heart on a screen. By watching the screen, the physician can place the catheter in the correct spot to treat the abnormal heart beats. Once the catheter is in place, the physician turns on the generator to heat the tip of the catheter. The heat destroys a small area of heart tissue that causes the abnormal heart beat. This destruction of tissue is called “ablation.”

When is it used? This ablation catheter system is used in patients who have atrial flutter -- a specific kind of fast heart beat (tachycardia) occurring in the heart’s upper chambers (the atria).

What will it accomplish? The destruction of a small amount of heart tissue (ablation) will block the abnormal impulse conduction pathways in the heart that cause atrial flutter. The procedure has been shown to cure atrial flutter in approximately 94% of patients.

When should it not be used? The catheter should not be used:

Additional information: Summary of Safety and Effectiveness and labeling will be available at: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/pdf2/p020025.html

Other:

National Institutes of Health information:

American Heart Association information:

Updated January 21, 2004

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