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Open Access 01-09-2016 | Original Article

Atrial rhythm influences catheter tissue contact during radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: comparison of contact force between sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation

Authors: Hisao Matsuda, Abdul Shokor Parwani, Philipp Attanasio, Martin Huemer, Alexander Wutzler, Florian Blaschke, Wilhelm Haverkamp, Leif-Hendrik Boldt

Published in: Heart and Vessels | Issue 9/2016

Abstract

Catheter tissue contact force (CF) is an important factor for durable lesion formation during radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF). Since CF varies in the beating heart, atrial rhythm during RFCA may influence CF. A high-density map and RFCA points were obtained in 25 patients undergoing RFCA of AF using a CF-sensing catheter (Tacticath, St. Jude Medical). The operators were blinded to the CF information. Contact type was classified into three categories: constant, variable, and intermittent contact. Average CF and contact type were analyzed according to atrial rhythm (SR vs. AF) and anatomical location. A total of 1364 points (891 points during SR and 473 points during AF) were analyzed. Average CFs showed no significant difference between SR (17.2 ± 11.3 g) and AF (17.2 ± 13.3 g; p = 0.99). The distribution of points with an average CF of ≥20 and <10 g also showed no significant difference. However, the distribution of excessive CF (CF ≥40 g) was significantly higher during AF (7.4 %) in comparison with SR (4.2 %; p < 0.05). At the anterior area of the right inferior pulmonary vein (RIPV), the average CF during AF was significantly higher than during SR (p < 0.05). Constant contact was significantly higher during AF (32.2 %) when compared to SR (9.9 %; p < 0.01). Although the average CF was not different between atrial rhythms, constant contact was more often achievable during AF than it was during SR. However, excessive CF also seems to occur more frequently during AF especially at the anterior part of RIPV.

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Title: Atrial rhythm influences catheter tissue contact during radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: comparison of contact force between sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation
Authors: Hisao Matsuda
Abdul Shokor Parwani
Philipp Attanasio
Martin Huemer
Alexander Wutzler
Florian Blaschke
Wilhelm Haverkamp
Leif-Hendrik Boldt
Publication date: 01-09-2016
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Heart and Vessels / Issue 9/2016
Print ISSN: 0910-8327
Electronic ISSN: 1615-2573
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00380-015-0763-0

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