Percutaneous endoscopic laser balloon pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation

The procedure

Percutaneous endoscopic laser balloon pulmonary vein isolation for atrial fibrillation aims to maintain normal heart rhythm.

The procedure is done under general anaesthesia or sedation using a laser balloon catheter. The laser balloon catheter consists of a catheter (thin tube) with a small balloon attached, an endoscope (a thin tube with a camera on the end) and an optical fibre that delivers heat energy. The laser balloon catheter is inserted into a vein in the top of the leg (the femoral vein) and guided into the heart. When in place, the balloon is inflated to position the catheter at the opening to one of the pulmonary veins (the veins that carry blood from the lungs to the heart). Laser energy is then applied to each pulmonary vein to isolate the abnormal electrical triggers to the heart.