Possibility of contact force monitoring during catheter ablation of ventricular tachycardia

Nowadays, electroanatomical mapping systems are widely used to clarify arrhythmic substrates and identify the target of ablation not only in patients with supraventricular tachycardia or atrial fibrillation but also ventricular tachycardia. To achieve good results in the procedure, it is important to obtain precise mapping information and to deliver adequate radiofrequency energy. Although it is widely recognized that the contact between the ablation catheter and myocardial tissue is one of the most important factors that affects both the accuracy of maps and the efficacy of energy delivery, we had no direct indicator before recent improvements in contact force monitoring technology. In this article, the recently developed technologies regarding contact force monitoring are discussed.