In conclusion , this meta- analysis shows that the use of CF technology decreases AF recurrence at a median follow-up of 12 months and also led to decreased use of RF during ablation .
There was no difference in total procedure length and fluoroscopy exposure
The suboptimal outcomes of atrial fibrillation ( AF ) ablation have been attributed to lack of transmural lesions during pulmonary vein isolation .
The advent of contact force ( CF ) sensing technology enables real-time assessment of the applied force at the catheter-tissue interface and increases the chances of transmural lesions .
We sought to perform a meta- analysis of data from eligible studies to delineate the true impact of CF technology .
Real-time contact force sensing for pulmonary vein isolation in the setting of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation: procedural and 1-year results.
INTRODUCTION The additional benefit of contact force ( CF ) technology during pulmonary vein isolation ( PVI ) for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ( AF ) to improve mid-term clinical outcome is unclear . METHODS AND RESULTS Eligible patients with symptomatic paroxysmal AF were enrolled in this prospect i ve trial , comparing circular antral catheter ablation ( guided by Carto 3 System , Biosense Webster ) using either a new open-irrigated CF catheter ( SmartTouch Thermocool , Biosense Webster ) ( CF group ) or a non-CF open-irrigated catheter ( EZ Steer Thermocool , Biosense Webster ) ( control group ) . Overall , 30 patients were enrolled in each group , with a st and ardized 12-month follow-up , free of antiarrhythmic therapy . Demographic , cardiovascular and anatomic characteristics were similar in both groups . Though complete PVI was eventually achieved in all cases in both groups , success using an exclusive anatomic approach was 80.0 % in CF group versus 36.7 % in control group ( P < 0.0001 ) . CF use was associated with significant reductions in fluoroscopy exposure ( P < 0.01 ) and radiofrequency time ( P = 0.01 ) . The incidence rates of AF recurrence were 10.5 % ( 95 % CI , 1.38 - 22.4 ) in the CF group , and 35.9 % ( 95 % CI , 12.4 - 59.4 ) in the control group ( log rank test , P = 0.04 ) . After adjustment on potential confounders , the use of CF catheter was found to be associated with a lower AF recurrence ( OR 0.18 , 95 % CI 0.04 - 0.94 , P = 0.04 ) . CONCLUSION Our findings suggest a potential benefit of real-time CF sensing technology , in reducing AF recurrence during the first year after PVI
In conclusion , this meta- analysis shows that the use of CF technology decreases AF recurrence at a median follow-up of 12 months and also led to decreased use of RF during ablation .
There was no difference in total procedure length and fluoroscopy exposure
The suboptimal outcomes of atrial fibrillation ( AF ) ablation have been attributed to lack of transmural lesions during pulmonary vein isolation .
The advent of contact force ( CF ) sensing technology enables real-time assessment of the applied force at the catheter-tissue interface and increases the chances of transmural lesions .
We sought to perform a meta- analysis of data from eligible studies to delineate the true impact of CF technology .