Esophageal Deviation With Vacuum Suction And Mechanical Deflection During Ablation Of Atrial Fibrillation: First In Man Evaluation

Deviation of the esophagus during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation can reduce esophageal injury. This study reports upon a novel esophageal retractor that utilizes vacuum suction and mechanical deflection to deviate the esophagus. The device was used in seven patients undergoing cryoballoon AF ablation. The esophagus was deviated 31.9 +/- 4.4 mm to the right and 28.2 +/- 5.9 mm to the left. Endoscopy at 4.4 +/- 1.5 days postablation showed no esophageal injury. This study demonstrates the safe and effective deviation of the esophagus without a trailing edge with an esophageal retractor utilizing vacuum suction and mechanical deflection.