Imricor Medical Systems (ASX: IMR) has marked a major milestone in cardiac care, officially launching its VISABL-VT clinical trial after completing a world-first real-time iCMR-guided ventricular ablation procedure at Amsterdam University Medical Centre (AUMC). This isn’t just a first for Imricor — it’s a first for the entire field of electrophysiology.
Performed using Imricor’s proprietary NorthStar Mapping System, the procedure treated both right- and left-sided premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) and marked the first time a left-sided ablation was guided by real-time MRI. It’s an extraordinary step forward for the company and potentially a game-changer for patients with complex arrhythmias.
A huge moment for MRI-guided cardiac care
Imricor’s Chair and CEO, Steve Wedan, called the moment “a huge milestone” for the company and the broader field. Founded back in 2006 with a bold vision of replacing x-ray fluoroscopy with MRI in cardiac procedures, Imricor has now taken a giant leap toward making that vision a clinical reality.
Real-time MRI offers several clear advantages over traditional x-ray guidance — sharper imaging, no radiation exposure, and the potential for faster and more effective treatments. With the first procedure now complete, future updates on the clinical experience will be led by the AUMC team, which Newsweek recently ranked as the top hospital in the Netherlands and among the world’s best.
What’s the tech behind it?
At the heart of Imricor’s platform is the Vision-MR Ablation Catheter, specifically built to work under real-time MRI conditions. It’s already approved for treating atrial flutter in the EU, Saudi Arabia, and New Zealand, and Imricor is actively pursuing broader regulatory approvals — including a major push into the US and other Middle East markets.
Imricor’s broader product suite also includes the Advantage-MR EP Recorder/Stimulator System and diagnostic tools, all designed for use in iCMR labs — MRI-equipped interventional labs developed in collaboration with giants like Philips, Siemens, and GE HealthCare.
With this first human procedure now successfully completed, Imricor isn’t just ticking boxes — it’s writing the next chapter in the evolution of cardiac ablation.
