Johnson & Johnson Press Release

IRVINE, Calif. -- Johnson & Johnson today announced it will showcase the latest advances across its electrophysiology portfolio at the 2026 Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) Annual Meeting, including new evidence in pulsed field ablation (PFA), and innovations in cardiac mapping and imaging.

At HRS 2026, the company will launch the CARTOSOUND SONATA Module, leveraging artificial intelligence with the CARTO System to automatically transform intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) images into detailed maps, allowing physicians to build accurate models of multiple heart chambers^i,ii,iii,1. The module also enables identification and automatic labeling of cardiac structures^ii,iii.

CARTOSOUND SONATA seamlessly integrates with both SOUNDSTAR CRYSTAL (2D ICE) and NUVISION NAV (4D ICE) ultrasound catheters^iv, enabling physicians to plan and perform treatment across a range of heart rhythm conditions, including atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and complex concomitant procedures^ii,iii.

“In my experience, CARTOSOUND SONATA elevates imaging capabilities by streamlining the process of building detailed maps of the heart across multiple chambersⁱ using both 2D and 4D ICE technologies^iv,v, even during the most complex concomitant procedures,^ii,iii” said Luigi Di Biase², MD, PhD, FACC, FHRS, System Director Electrophysiology at Montefiore Health System, Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) Albert Einstein College of Medicine at Montefiore Hospital. “This new module continues to demonstrate the power and versatility of the CARTO System and is a clear example of its continued evolution as a key platform in electrophysiology.”

2026 also marks the 30th anniversary of the CARTO System. At HRS, Johnson & Johnson will celebrate how decades of innovation have helped shape modern electrophysiology. From early electroanatomical mapping to today’s integrated AI-powered capabilities, CARTO remains foundational to how electrophysiologists approach arrhythmia care. It serves as a central platform that connects technologies across the electrophysiology portfolio and is designed to evolve alongside clinical practice.

“For 30 years, the CARTO System has led progress in electrophysiology, serving as the foundation of a connected platform that brings together imaging, mapping, and therapy. Looking into the future, we are decisively moving forward with continuous advancements toward new frontiers in cardiac mapping,” said Michael Bodner, Company Group Chair, Electrophysiology & Neurovascular, MedTech, Johnson & Johnson. “As we introduce CARTOSOUND SONATA and continue to progress our PFA technologies, we remain committed to innovation that improves how arrhythmias are understood and treated, while evolving and pushing what’s possible in AFib care.”

At HRS 2026, Johnson & Johnson will present new clinical and real-world data on the VARIPULSE Platform for atrial fibrillation, highlighting safety, workflow efficiency, and real-world patient outcomes^vi,vii,viii. Fully integrated with the CARTO System, VARIPULSE delivers precise, efficient, and reproducible treatment outcomes^ix,x,xi. In the U.S., the latest VARIPULSE Plus update introduces automated irrigation flow control, reinforcing the platform’s safety profile and supporting procedural consistency and physician confidence^xii,xiii. Building on this advancement, the company recently launched the VARIPULSE Pro³ platform in Europe with a new pulse sequence to streamline procedures and enhance workflow efficiency^xiv,xv.

Highlights of data being presented at HRS include:

Late-Breaking Presentation: Variable Loop Circular Catheter Pulse Field Ablation in Real-World Practice: Low Complication Rates Across Patient and Procedural Characteristics. LB -525394 -03 Friday, April 24, 10:30am PT. Dr. Christopher Porterfield⁴

Poster Presentation: The Variable Loop Circular Catheter Safety Survey (VariSure) Early Results. PO -02 -152. Dr. Christopher Porterfield⁴

Poster Presentation: Zero-exchange Workflow With a Variable Loop PFA Catheter and No Dedicated Mapping Catheter Improves Procedural Efficiency. PO -04 -270. Dr. Mark D. Metzl⁵

Poster Presentation: Hospital Readmission Among Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Ablation Using a Non-Integrated Pulsed Field Catheter With CARTO™ 3 versus EnSite™ Electroanatomical Mapping System. PO -01-334. Dr. Ronnie Rong⁶

Poster Presentation: A Prospective Within -Patient Comparison of Transesophageal and Contemporary 4D Intracardiac Echocardiography for Left Atrial Appendage Closure (ICE4 -TEE Study). PO -01-323. Dr. Jiaqi Mi⁷

At this year’s congress, attendees will have the opportunity to experience interactive, hands-on demonstrations that showcase the power of integration across Johnson & Johnson’s electrophysiology portfolio. In addition, the Rhythm Theater will showcase a panel discussion exploring AI-driven insights with CARTOSOUND SONATA in concomitant and VT procedures. These education opportunities underscore Johnson & Johnson’s commitment to ground innovation in deep scientific expertise. More information can be found here.

Cardiovascular Solutions from Johnson & Johnson MedTech

Across Johnson & Johnson, we are tackling the world’s most complex and pervasive health challenges. Through a cardiovascular portfolio that provides healthcare professionals with advanced mapping and navigation, miniaturized tech, and precise ablation we are addressing conditions with significant unmet needs such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, stroke, and atrial fibrillation. We are the global leaders in heart recovery, circulatory restoration, and the treatment of heart rhythm disorders, as well as an emerging leader in neurovascular care, committed to taking on two of the leading causes of death worldwide in heart failure and stroke. For more, visit J&J MedTech electrophysiology.

About Johnson & Johnson

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more about our MedTech sector’s global scale and deep expertise in surgery, orthopaedics, vision, and cardiovascular solutions at jnjmedtech.com. Follow us at @JNJMedTech and on LinkedIn.