Higher contact-force values associated with better mid-term outcome of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation using the SmartTouch™ catheter
Why the study?
Does higher contact force (≥22 g) during pulmonary vein isolation using the SmartTouch catheter reduce atrial fibrillation relapse in patients with paroxysmal AF?
Population
100 patients undergoing a first procedure of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation catheter ablation
Comparison
Pulmonary vein isolation using the SmartTouch… vs Pulmonary vein isolation using the SmartTouch…
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
mean 19 ± 5 months
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
Higher contact force may reduce AF relapse after PVI; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
Structured PICO
Does higher contact force (≥22 g) during pulmonary vein isolation using the SmartTouch catheter reduce atrial fibrillation relapse in patients with paroxysmal AF?
P
Population
100 patients (age 62 ± 8; 79% men) undergoing a first procedure of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation catheter ablation
I
Intervention
Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using the SmartTouch catheter with high mean contact force (≥22 g)
C
Comparator
Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) using the SmartTouch catheter with low mean contact force (<22 g)
O
Outcome
Atrial fibrillation relapse (defined as any symptomatic or asymptomatic atrial arrhythmia lasting >30 s) at mean 19 ± 5 months follow-uphard clinical
Higher contact force (≥22 g) during pulmonary vein isolation is associated with a significantly lower incidence of atrial fibrillation relapse without increasing complication rates.
Cite This Study
Providência et al. (2014) studied this question.