Device Helps Prevent Complication During Common Heart Procedure

For some with AFib, a catheter ablation is used to burn or freeze the precise area causing the problem to restore a normal heart rhythm. While this method is effective, the energy from the catheter tip can cause serious damage to the adjacent esophagus, which is only a few millimeters away. It’s an injury that can be life threatening, so an electrophysiologist has helped develop a new device that gently diverts the esophagus out of harm’s way, greatly improving safety.