Contact-force-guided vs. contact-force-blinded catheter ablation of typical atrial flutter: a prospective study

AIMS: It remains unknown whether contact force (CF) sensing technology is of value for cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation. We prospectively evaluated procedural parameters and outcomes of CF-guided vs. CF-blinded CTI ablation for typical atrial flutter (AFL). METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 70 consecutive patients (62.5 ± 10.9 years) undergoing CTI ablation for AFL were prospectively enrolled, 35 in CF-blinded and 35 in CF-guided groups. A CF-sensing catheter (power 25-35 W) was used in all. In the CF-guided group, CF target range was 10-25 g, whereas in the CF-blinded group, the operator was blinded to CF. The isthmus was divided into anterior, middle, and posterior segments for region-specific CF analysis. The procedural endpoint of bidirectional isthmus block following a 20-min observation period was achieved in all. A trend towards lower fluoroscopy and procedure duration was observed when the CF-guided group was compared with the CF-blinded group. The total radiofrequency (RF) energy delivery time required to achieve bidirectional block was significantly lower in the CF-guided vs. CF-blinded group [10.0 min (IQR 8.3;15.1) vs. 15.9 min (IQR 9.6;24.7), P= 0.0020], with a significant inverse correlation between CF and total RF delivery time (r = -0.36; P= 0.0027). Mean CF measurements significantly increased from anterior to posterior anatomical zones of CTI in the CF-blinded group (ANOVA P= 0.0466). CONCLUSIONS: Catheter ablation of AFL guided by real-time CF assessment results in a significant reduction in total RF delivery time. Real-time CF measurements facilitate the maintenance of homogenous efficient contact all along the CTI, particularly in the anterior segment where CF is generally lower.