June 10, 2008Circulation Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology
Esophageal Injury and Temperature Monitoring During Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
Why the study?
Does luminal esophageal temperature monitoring reduce esophageal injury compared with power limitation alone in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation?
Population
81 consecutive patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation followed by esophageal endoscopy
Comparison
Luminal esophageal temperature monitoring using… vs RF power limitation alone without LET monitoring
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
1 to 3 days
Authors
Discussion
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Member takes
Implication
LET monitoring was associated with reduced esophageal injury in AF ablation; leaves open need for randomized confirmation before practice change.
Structured PICO
Does luminal esophageal temperature monitoring reduce esophageal injury compared with power limitation alone in patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation?
P
Population
81 consecutive patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation followed by esophageal endoscopy
I
Intervention
Luminal esophageal temperature (LET) monitoring using a single-thermocouple esophageal probe (RF interrupted if LET ≥38.5°C, then reduced power) in addition to RF power limitation (35 W on posterior LA)
C
Comparator
RF power limitation alone (35 W on posterior LA) without LET monitoring
O
Outcome
Ablation-related esophageal ulcerations identified by esophageal endoscopy 1 to 3 days post-proceduresafety
Luminal esophageal temperature monitoring during atrial fibrillation ablation is associated with a significant reduction in esophageal injury compared to power limitation alone.
Cite This Study
Singh et al. (2008) studied this question.