Key result
STSF catheters linked to ~63% lower odds of silent cerebral embolism vs. ST in AF ablation.
Why the study?
The incidence of silent cerebral embolisms after catheter ablation of AF using the ThermoCool SmartTouch Surround Flow catheter compared to the ThermoCool SmartTouch catheter required investigation.
Does de novo atrial fibrillation ablation using the ThermoCool SmartTouch Surround Flow (STSF) catheter reduce the incidence of silent cerebral embolisms compared to the ThermoCool SmartTouch (ST) catheter?
Observational (n=163)
Single-blind (radiologists and neurophysiological examiners blinded)
Non-randomized (allocated based on medical insurance type)
No
Does de novo atrial fibrillation ablation using the ThermoCool SmartTouch Surround Flow (STSF) catheter reduce the incidence of silent cerebral embolisms compared to the ThermoCool SmartTouch (ST) catheter?
Using the ThermoCool SmartTouch Surround Flow (STSF) catheter instead of the standard SmartTouch (ST) catheter for de novo atrial fibrillation ablation is associated with a significantly lower incidence of post-procedural silent cerebral embolisms (16% vs. 33.6%).
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
STSF catheter use was associated with fewer post-AF ablation SCEs; leaves open confirmation in randomized trials before practice change.
Background and Aims This study aimed to investigate the incidence of silent cerebral embolisms (SCEs) after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) using the ThermoCool SmartTouch Surround Flow (STSF) catheter compared to the ThermoCool SmartTouch (ST) catheter. Methods This study prospectively enrolled patients who underwent de novo AF ablation using either STSF or ST catheter from December 2022 to February 2024. Cerebral magnetic resonance imagings (MRI) were performed within 24 to 48 h after the procedure to detect the new-onset SCEs. The incidences of SCEs, along with the clinical and procedural data, were compared between the patients using STSF catheter and ST catheter. Risk factors associated with SCEs were analyzed by logistic regression. Results In this study involving 163 patients, AF ablation was conducted using a STSF catheter in 50 patients (the STSF group) and a ST catheter in the remaining 113 patients (the ST group). No significant differences were observed in baseline clinical and demographic characteristics between the two groups. There were no apparent differences in the procedural data between the two groups. The incidence of SCEs was significantly lower in the STSF group compared to the ST group (16% vs. 33.6%, P = 0.021). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the left ventricular ejection fraction and the use of STSF catheter were independently associated with SCEs after AF ablation. Conclusion Using STSF catheters instead of ST catheters may be associated with reduced incidence of SCE following AF ablation.
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Wang et al. (2026) conducted an observational in Atrial fibrillation undergoing de novo radiofrequency catheter ablation (n=163). ThermoCool SmartTouch Surround Flow (STSF) 56-hole catheter vs. ThermoCool SmartTouch (ST) 6-hole catheter was evaluated on Incidence of new-onset silent cerebral embolisms (SCEs) detected by cerebral MRI within 24 to 48 hours after ablation (OR 0.368, 95% CI 0.158-0.900, p=0.021). ThermoCool SmartTouch Surround Flow (STSF) catheters significantly reduced silent cerebral embolisms after AF ablation compared to SmartTouch (ST) catheters (16.0% vs 33.6%, P=0.021; OR 0.368).
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