Do PFA catheter designs with less atrial blood exposure improve efficiency and safety compared to exposed designs in computer models?
Computer modeling suggests that PFA catheter designs minimizing atrial blood exposure are significantly more efficient and potentially safer, warranting in-vivo confirmation.
Computer models demonstrated a remarkable range in efficiency among catheters studied. Those having less atrial blood exposure had the highest efficiencies, with factors of up to 13X more efficiency compared to exposed ones. Higher efficiency designs have less collateral current and are safer. Confirmatory in-vivo studies are required.
Belalcazar et al. (Tue,) studied this question.