Contact index monitoring during cryoablation correlated with tissue proximity, achieving successful lesions at index values of approximately 20% to 25%.
Does visualization of the contact index (CI) improve catheter-tissue contact assessment during cryoablation for septal paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia?
CI-guided cryoablation is feasible and may improve real-time quantitative assessment of catheter-tissue contact during septal ablation.
ABSTRACT Introduction Cryoablation is widely used for septal paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia because of its lower risk of atrioventricular block; however, real‐time quantitative assessment of catheter–tissue contact is limited. Methods and Results We describe a modified configuration enabling visualization of the contact index (CI) during cryoablation with the Freezor Xtra catheter, supported by in vitro validation and two clinical cases. In vitro testing demonstrated progressive CI elevation with decreasing catheter–tissue distance. Successful lesions were achieved at CI values of approximately 20%–25%. CI increased despite minimal electrogram changes and correlated with tissue proximity. Conclusion CI‐guided cryoablation is feasible and may improve contact assessment during septal ablation.
Hayashi et al. (2026) studied this question. Contact index monitoring during cryoablation correlated with tissue proximity, achieving successful lesions at index values of approximately 20% to 25%.