Barrx™
What is Barrx™?
The Barrx™ Radiofrequency ablation system removes the diseased layer of tissue in patients with Barrett’s Esophagus using radiofrequency (RF) energy.
Most actions for Barret’s Esophagus tend to take a “wait and see” approach, but the Barrx system allows doctors to be more proactive about treatment. It helps stop esophageal cancer from advancing.
The Barrx™:
- Is low-risk and well tolerated
- Is a process to remove sections of dysplasia in a patients with Barrett’s Esophagus
- May require the patient to abstain from eating beforehand
- May require sedation
Your doctor will perform the procedure during an upper endoscopy. During the endoscopy your doctor will insert a catheter into your esophagus. This will conduct the controlled RF energy which makes the Barrx Radiofrequency ablation system effective.
The RF energy will remove the top layer of diseased tissue, exposing the healthy tissue underneath. This allows the regrowth of new, healthy tissue within eight weeks.
You should look into the Barrx ablation system if you suffer from Barrett’s Esophagus and your doctor has considerable concern about it advancing to esophageal cancer.
Your doctor will give you instructions to prepare for the procedure. Most likely, you will be asked to fast for at least 4-8 hours beforehand to ensure an empty stomach.
Inform your doctor of:
- Any medication that you take regularly, especially;
- aspirin products
- arthritis medications
- blood thinners (such as Warfarin or Heparin)
- Clopidogrel
- insulin
- Any known allergies to medication
- Any medical conditions that will require special attention, such as;
- diabetes
- heart conditions
- lung conditions
- any other major conditions
You’ll need to plan for ride home from the office as it is not advised for patients to drive for the remainder of the day due to effects from the medication.
It’s important to follow all of your doctor’s instructions.
You’ll be asked to lay down.
You may be given:
- A sedative to help you relax.
- A local anesthetic to numb your throat.
- A mouth guard to wear and hold open your mouth.
Your doctor will ask you to swallow as the endoscope is worked down your esophagus. You won’t be able to speak while the endoscopy is in progress, but you will be able to breathe and make noises.
You might feel:
- Pressure in the throat and abdomen
- A feeling of fullness as air is fed into the GI tract.
You shouldn’t feel any pain.
You’ll be taken to a room to rest after the procedure where you’ll be monitored until your sedatives begin to wear off.
Once home, You may feel:
- Bloated
- Gas
- Cramps
- Sore Throat
You should take it easy for the rest of the day after your endoscopy and Barrx™ treatment. You should have a ride prepared as the sedatives may impair your judgement.
Studies have shown:
- 98.4% of patients with non-dysplastic intestinal metaplasia (IM) were completely free of all Barrett’s tissue after 2.5 years*
- Up to 95% of patients showed an eradication of dysplasia**
- Up to 92% of non-dysplastic patients showed no signs of Barrett’s tissue five years after treatment***