Key result
Radiofrequency ablation using large-tip catheters produced lesion sizes that varied significantly with blood flow rate (P<0.001), unlike cooled-tip catheters which were unaffected (P=0.78).
Why the study?
Does convective cooling flow rate differentially affect lesion size created by cooled-tip versus large-tip radiofrequency ablation catheters in porcine myocardium?
Population
72 sections of porcine hearts placed in a temperature-controlled saline bath with varying directed flow rates
Comparison
Cooled-tip RF ablation for 1 minute with power… vs Large-tip catheter ablation at 65 degrees C…
Design
Preclinical, Flow rates were randomized between applications
Authors
Loading...
Caution with large-tip catheters in variable-flow regions; extends preclinical data but leaves optimal selection open pending clinical studies.
RCT (n=72)
Randomized
Does convective cooling flow rate differentially affect lesion size created by cooled-tip versus large-tip radiofrequency ablation catheters in porcine myocardium?
p-value: p=<0.001
Blood flow rate significantly affects lesion size for large-tip but not cooled-tip RF ablation catheters, with cooled-tip creating larger lesions at low flow and large-tip creating larger lesions at high flow.
Pilcher et al. (2006) reported an RCT. Cooled-tip catheter radiofrequency ablation vs. Large-tip catheter radiofrequency ablation was evaluated on Lesion volume (p=<0.001). Radiofrequency ablation using large-tip catheters produced lesion sizes that varied significantly with blood flow rate (P<0.001), unlike cooled-tip catheters which were unaffected (P=0.78).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: