Peter Karl Jacobsen, Aashi Mehrotra, Christian Jøns, Tommi Forss, Niels Cf Sandgaard, Xu Chen
INTRODUCTION: Catheter ablation is standard of care for cardiac arrhythmias, but conventional catheters are still limited by single-plane steering, variable tissue contact, and high irrigation demands, particularly in complex anatomy. Robotic magnetic navigation (RMN) addresses several of these constraints, but it has long depended on a first-generation radiofrequency catheter.
AREAS COVERED: This device profile reviews the design, mechanism of action, available clinical evidence, regulatory status and future development of the MAGiC magnetic ablation catheter, the first purpose-built catheter for the Stereotaxis RMN platform. The catheter is used across the full arrhythmia spectrum, including supraventricular tachycardias, atrial fibrillation, and ventricular arrhythmias, with complex and congenital anatomy among its most demanding applications. The evidence is drawn from its first-in-human study, supporting bench and platform data, and a structured search of the peer-reviewed literature.
EXPERT OPINION: Early experience points to improved catheter stability, stable tip temperatures, and reduced irrigation relative to the predecessor RMN catheter. The evidence base remains small, single-arm and partly manufacturer-sponsored, however, and comparative and long-term data are not yet available.