Acutus Medical Gains $170M Funding for Its Intracardiac Mapping System

Human Heart Model Photo by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash

A longtime California cardiologist with a background in San Diego and at Stanford University, Sanjiv M. Narayan, MD, PhD, is recognized for his innovations in the area of atrial fibrillation (AF) care, including a next generation FIRM-assisted ablation approach. Dr. Sanjiv M. Narayan’s work over 15 years generated FIRM, Focal Impulse and Rotor Modulation, and has led to work such as that carried out by Acutus Medical.

Based in Carlsbad, California, Acutus focuses on improving outcomes among patients who live with complex atrial arrhythmias. The core platform at work is an intracardiac mapping system that incorporates dynamic arrhythmia visualization techniques. The underlying electrophysiology technology platform is designed to allow for adaptive, personalized approaches to therapy.

The AcQMap stands as the sole cardiac mapping and imaging system that utilizes “precision ultrasound atrial anatomy reconstruction” in tandem with “high-definition non-contact charge density mapping” in ways that are highly reproducible.

In June 2019, Acutus Medical announced completion of a $170 million financing round that included a $70 million credit facility and $100 million in Series D equity investments. The aim of this new funding is to accelerate commercialization activities, while ensuring the development of a robust global business.

Phase Mapping vs. Electrogram-Based Mapping in Ablation

Sanjiv M. Narayan, MD, PhD, is a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford University in California, where he researches bioengineering techniques for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. A former professor of medicine at UC San Diego, cardiologist Sanjiv Narayan is a member of several other research teams as well, focused on advancing understanding of atrial fibrillation (AF).

One such team published a study in Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology, a peer-reviewed journal, entitled, “Comparison of phase mapping and electrogram-based driver mapping for catheter ablation in atrial fibrillation.” Ablation is a procedure that scars or destroys the heart tissue that allows incorrect electrical signals to be sent to the heart and cause atrial fibrillation. 

After studying 175 articles in the PubMed database, the researchers concluded that one specific method of ablation (driver-guided) showed better outcomes than standard ablation therapies. Additionally, the researchers found that phase mapping is better for guiding ablation than electrogram-based mapping. This supports many studies of AF driver based ablation by many techniques.

Addressing Ongoing Challenges in Dealing with Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Cardiologist Sanjiv M. Narayan, MD, PhD, serves as a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford University and founder of the Stanford Arrhythmia Center, where he leads a team working on bioengineering techniques to treat cardiac arrhythmias. Formerly a faculty member at the University of California, San Diego, Dr. Sanjiv Narayan is a researcher who has published numerous articles in leading peer-reviewed medical journals.

One of the leading causes of heart-related deaths worldwide is sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), which only 10 percent of patients survive when it occurs outside of a hospital setting. There has been extensive research into the condition, yet challenges remain. Recently, Dr. Narayan was among a team of researchers to address the hurdles to attacking the SCA epidemic worldwide. This was covered in a recent study by Dr. Narayan in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, which discussed SCA, new approaches and the use of artificial intelligence to integrate new technologies in the space. 

One practical way they have identified to improve response involves increased community access to technology such as automated external defibrillators. Additionally, the disease may be better understood by further refining SCA classification and by looking at how pathology and physiology determine how the disease presents and progresses. It is also vital that public leaders, lawmakers, and other stakeholders work together to formulate public health policy to adequately address the epidemic.

FDA Approves TactiCath SE for Ablation Treatment

Longtime professor of medicine Dr. Sanjiv M. Narayan has held teaching roles at colleges throughout California, including UC San Diego. He is currently a faculty member at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Arrhythmia Center. A committed cardiologist and researcher, Sanjiv Narayan, MD, PhD, is a leading authority in the diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation.

In January 2018, the United States Food and Drug Administration gave approval for the use of a new type of ablation catheter for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Developed by Abbott, the TactiCath Contact Force Ablation Catheter SE (Sensor Enabled) discourages the electrical stimulations that can scar heart tissue. 

Physicians who have tried the catheter have praised it as a major advance in ablation therapy. Srijoy Mahapatra, MD, of Abbott says the TactiCath SE is the latest innovation in the company’s mission to advance ablation therapy by making it safer and easier to perform.

The Heart Rhythm Society Provides an Online Resource for Professionals

Sanjiv M. Narayan, MD, PhD, is a cardiologist serving Stanford University as a professor of medicine who focuses on innovative bioengineering solutions for treating arrhythmias and other cardiovascular conditions. A former professor of medicine at UC San Diego, Sanjiv Narayan additionally supports professional organizations such as the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), which encourages the highest possible standards in the delivery of healthcare as part of its mission of education and the promotion of research and heart-healthy public policy. 

The society, based in Washington D.C., serves the professional cardiology community and the general public as a major destination for information on electrophysiology and cardiac pacing. Its membership includes professionals from dozens of nations who focus on studying and treating heart arrhythmias. 

As part of its educational efforts, HRS offers a range of continuing medical education courses for professionals in the field, with registration information detailed at its website’s Learning Center. 

Among these courses is one on atrial fibrillation ablation, providing a full review of the topic, as well as information on emerging procedures. Another course discusses mapping in the treatment of AF, and still another provides updates on the use of medical devices to treat heart conditions.

HRS also provides select access to online discussion portals, such as one offering hundreds of hours of presentations taken from the organization’s latest annual Scientific Sessions conference, held in May 2018 in Boston. 

San Francisco will be the site of the 2019 Scientific Sessions in May, with full details provided on the HRS website.