The convergent procedure combines the best techniques of Cardiovascular Surgeons and Electrophysiologists to provide a truly minimally-invasive treatment solution for all AF patients in a single procedure. The nContact coagulation system is used by the surgeon to create a comprehensive bi-atrial lesion pattern on the outside of a beating heart without the need for chest incisions. An Electrophysiologist then uses an ablation catheter to complete the lesion pattern and check that all reentrant circuits have been interrupted. 

The convergent procedure utilizes trans-diaphragmatic access to the heart, eliminating the need for chest incisions and deflation of the lungs and allowing the physician to visualize device positioning and lesion creation. The visible lesions can then be connected to create a bi-atrial pattern. Our research focus has been to demonstrate that improved efficacy may be associated with a standardized bi-atrial pattern. Partnering with Electrophysiologists provides diagnostic confirmation that all lesions are complete and connected, reentrant circuits have been blocked, and electrograms are silent. The successful achievement of intra-operative diagnostic metrics helps standardize the procedure and ensures better outcomes.