Key result
Irrigation with liquids of increasing ionic strength decreased lesion volume in vitro (361 vs 812 mm3, P<0.001), indicating no virtual electrode effect contributes to lesion enlargement.
Why the study?
Does increased electrical conductivity around the tip contribute to increased lesion size during irrigated tip radiofrequency ablation in porcine and canine myocardium models?
Does increased electrical conductivity around the tip contribute to increased lesion size during irrigated tip radiofrequency ablation in porcine and canine myocardium models?
Absolute Event Rate: 361% vs 812%
p-value: p=<0.001
The enlargement of lesion size during irrigated-tip radiofrequency ablation is due to the ability to use higher power levels, rather than a 'virtual electrode effect' from increased electrical conductivity.
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Challenges virtual electrode effect for irrigated RF lesion size; leaves open power delivery as mechanism pending clinical validation.
Petersen et al. (2004) studied Cardiac arrhythmias. Irrigation with liquids having increasing ionic strength vs. Standard/lower ionic strength irrigation was evaluated on Lesion volume in vitro (power-controlled ablation) (p=<0.001). Irrigation with liquids of increasing ionic strength decreased lesion volume in vitro (361 vs 812 mm3, P<0.001), indicating no virtual electrode effect contributes to lesion enlargement.
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