South Jordan, Utah-based Merit adds the latest delivery system to its growing electrophysiology (EP) and cardiac rhythm management (CRM) portfolio. It joins solutions such as HeartSpan, Worley, Prelude Snap and SafeGuard Focus.
The company designed Ventrax to facilitate the placement of devices in ablation procedures for treating ventricular tachycardia (VT). It provides a streamlined pathway for ablation catheters to enter the left ventricle through the aorta. This approach is known as retrograde aortic access.
Retrograde aortic access can help reach certain areas of the ventricle compared to traditional methods like transseptal puncture. Merit says the approach makes those areas of the left ventricle more accessible to support targeted treatment.
Ventrax features a 95 cm sheath designed to access target locations. Its ultra-low profile transition between the sheath and pigtail dilator provide smooth insertion. Additionally, an angled tip helps enhance the reach of an ablation catheter.
According to Merit, VT ablation is one of the fastest-growing areas in EP, with many physicians using retrograde aortic access for VT procedures.
“Effective access is essential to supporting the growth of VT ablation,” said Fred P. Lampropoulos, Merit chair and CEO. “We are proud to take another significant step toward providing electrophysiologists with a valuable tool that helps fill this need in patient care.”
