Biosense Webster Showcases Cutting Edge Innovation at Boston AF 2013

DIAMOND BAR, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Biosense Webster, Inc., a worldwide leader in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, will showcase its portfolio of cutting edge innovative technologies at the 2013 Boston AF meeting. Boston AF, now in its 18^th year, provides a scientific forum for health care professionals to learn about advances in research and therapeutics in the field of atrial fibrillation.

“The safety of our physician customers and their patients is very important to us and we are leading an industry-wide initiative with the goal of dramatically reducing fluoroscopy use in the EP lab without compromising safety.”

At the meeting, Biosense Webster will showcase its complete portfolio of market-leading technologies and present an array of innovative solutions for Electrophysiologists and Allied Health Professionals including:– Clinical Support, Global Education and Training Programs, Technical Service, Patient Education, and other resources to support the expanded access to ablation treatment.

CARTOALARA^™ Module

The new CARTOALARA^™ Module for the company’s CARTO^® 3 System will be introduced at Boston AF. The CARTOALARA^™ Module seamlessly combines a fluoroscopy image and CARTO^® 3 System maps into a single view and helps lower fluoroscopy levels to as low as reasonably achievable. Complementing the accuracy of the CARTO^® System proprietary magnetic navigation technology, the CARTOALARA^™ Module is an open architecture technology designed to work with a variety of industry leading fluoroscopy systems allowing customers to convert many of their legacy systems with minimal effort.

“This new advance allows electrophysiologists to navigate with confidence from one integrated view,” said Shlomi Nachman, Worldwide President, Biosense Webster. “The safety of our physician customers and their patients is very important to us and we are leading an industry-wide initiative with the goal of dramatically reducing fluoroscopy use in the EP lab without compromising safety.”

Combined with the CARTO^® System Advanced Catheter Location (ACL) Technology, Fast Anatomical Mapping (FAM) capability and its CONNECTION OF CHOICE^® functionality, the CARTOALARA^™ Module adds a new dimension to the CARTO® System’s established electroanatomical mapping accuracy, reinforcing user trust and confidence.

The CARTOALARA^™ Module will be commercially available in the United States and Europe starting in February 2013.

About AF and cardiac ablation

Atrial Fibrillation is the most prevalent arrhythmia, and is a leading cause of stroke among people 65 years and older. Worldwide, it is estimated that 20 million people have AF, yet only ~130,000 are treated with ablation every year. The public health implications of AF are a growing concern because those with AF are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality as well as a reduced quality of life.

Most patients with AF today are treated with anti-arrhythmic drugs (AADs), even though about half of them are refractory to these drugs. During cardiac ablation, energy is delivered through the catheter to those areas of the heart muscle causing the abnormal heart rhythm. This energy “disconnects” the pathway of the abnormal rhythm. Cardiac ablation is commonly used for “simple” arrhythmias, like Wolff-Parkison-White Syndrome and atrioventricular nodal re-entry tachycardia (AVNRT), and is increasingly being used for more complex arrhythmias like ventricular tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. THERMOCOOL^® Navigation Catheters are approved for drug refractory recurrent symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, when used with CARTO^® Systems (excluding NAVISTAR^® RMT THERMOCOOL Catheter).

About Biosense Webster, Inc.

Biosense Webster, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, pioneered EP diagnostic catheters more than 20 years ago and continues to lead the industry as an innovative provider of advanced cardiac diagnostic, therapeutic, and mapping tools. As the leader in EP navigation systems and ablation therapy, Biosense Webster, Inc. has technology that includes the largest installed base of cardiac mapping navigation systems worldwide in leading hospitals and teaching institutions. For more information about Biosense Webster and its products, please visit: www.biosensewebster.com (this site is intended for US visitors only).

Always verify catheter tip location using fluoroscopy or IC signals and consult the CARTO^® System User Guide regarding recommendations for fluoroscopy use.

Biosense Webster, Inc. 2013

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