Electrophysiology is a constantly innovating specialty of Invasive Cardiology. Prof. Ernst is one of the recognized pioneers of several biomedical technologies used for catheter procedures.

Remote magnetic navigation
Using a steerable magnetic field with a strength of 0.1 Tesla, a soft mapping and ablation catheter can be navigated to any location within a patient’s heart. The catheter itself is very bendy and soft and has virtually no risk of causing any harm. The magnetic navigation laboratory at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London is the only system with this technology in the entire United Kingdom. It is routinely used for all types of ablations and all arrhythmia types including for the treatment of children or adults with congenital heart disease.

3D mapping technologies (sequential or simultaneous)
Prof. Ernst is one of the pioneers of advanced 3D mapping systems and has been very much involved in the development of 3D systems such as the CARTO system (Biosense Webster), the eCVUe system (CardioInsight) and the novel non-invasive mapping system VIVO (Catheter Precision). These mapping systems allow to locate the site of origin of a given arrhythmia in a point-by-point or even completely touch-free fashion.

3D image integration
In order to understand each patient’s individual heart shape and form, Prof. Ernst uses 3D reconstructions from either CMR/MRI or CT scans, so-called 3D roadmaps. This allows her to familiarize herself with each patient before the procedure has even started. All ablations are designed and delivered in a completely bespoke way.

ZERO or low fluoroscopy
Prof. Ernst attempts to treat every one of her patients with as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) exposure to radiation (x-rays). These potentially harmful x-rays are usually necessary to perform the invasive procedure. However, a combination of the pre-acquired 3D roadmap, sequential mapping, and 3D guidance during the transseptal access can reproducibly avoid radiation exposure completely.