Does temperature-flow control mode reduce steam pop incidence compared to power control mode during radiofrequency ablation in a swine model?
In a swine model, temperature-flow control mode for radiofrequency ablation significantly reduces the risk of steam pops compared to power control mode while maintaining similar lesion sizes.
ABSTRACTBackground Steam pop is a major safety concern in radiofrequency (RF) ablation. The temperature-flow control (TFC) mode may mitigate this risk by precisely monitoring tissue temperature. Objective This study compared the safety and efficacy of TFC versus power control (PC) under ablation index (AI) guidance, focusing on steam pop incidence and lesion characteristics. Method In vivo experiments were conducted in 9 swine, with atrial ablations performed under AI control at 500–600 and ventricular ablations at 550–650. Procedural parameters were recorded, and lesion characteristics and steam pops were assessed pathologically. Result A total of 258 atrial and 117 ventricular ablations were performed in nine pigs, of which 227 atrial and 102 ventricular ablations met inclusion criteria. In both chambers, contact force was comparable between TFC and PC groups, but ablation time was significantly longer with TFC (PConclusion TFC achieved lesion sizes similar to PC but significantly reduced steam pops at the same AI level, suggesting improved procedural safety.
Xia et al. (Thu,) studied this question.