Complication rates , including cardiac tamponade , did not differ between groups .
Compared with the use of other catheters , AF ablation using the CF-sensing ST catheter for AF is associated with improved success rates , shorter procedure and fluoroscopy times and similar safety profile
OBJECTIVES The objective of our review was to systematic ally assess available evidence on the effectiveness , safety and efficiency of a spring sensor-irrigated contact force ( CF ) catheter ( THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH Catheter ( ST ) ) for percutaneous ablation of paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation ( AF ) , compared with other ablation catheters , or with the ST with the operator blinded to CF data .
BACKGROUND Emerging evidence suggests improved clinical outcomes of AF ablation using CF-sensing catheters ; however , review s to date have included data from multiple , distinct CF technologies .
Is the knowledge of contact force beneficial in pulmonary vein antrum isolation?
Abstract Objective : To investigate the effect of the operator knowing the real-time contact force ( CF ) on the efficacy of pulmonary vein antrum isolation ( PVAI ) . Methods : Fifty patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ( AF ) or short lasting persistent AF were r and omized to CF guided PVAI ( n = 25 ) or conventional PVAI ( n = 25 ) . In the CF guided group , CF between 10 and 40 g was aim ed at . Efficacy of PVAI was measured as reduction in AF burden ( AFB ) and time to AF recurrence detected by implantable cardiac monitor ( ICM ) , inserted three months before PVAI . Blanking period was three months and follow-up 12 months . Results : All pulmonary veins were isolated in the CF guided group and all but one in the conventional group . Mean CF was 25 g in the CF guided group and 24 g in the conventional group ( p = 0.75 ) . Compared to pre-ablation , median [ IQR ] relative reduction in AFB 3–12 months after ablation was 100 [99–100]% in the CF guided group ( p < 0.001 ) and 99.4 [25–100]% in the conventional group ( p < 0.001 ) , not different between groups ( p = 0.09 ) . Nine patients ( 36 % ) had AF recurrence in the CF guided group and 13 ( 52 % ) in the conventional group ( p = 0.21 , log-rank test ) . CF differed between operators . When adjusted for operator by regression analysis , patients without recurrent AF had lower proportion of ablation time with CF < 10 g than recurrent patients ( p = 0.034 ) . No complications occurred . Conclusions : Operator knowledge of real-time CF had no significant effect on AFB reduction or time to AF recurrence . Larger trials should be done to study benefit of real-time CF
Complication rates , including cardiac tamponade , did not differ between groups .
Compared with the use of other catheters , AF ablation using the CF-sensing ST catheter for AF is associated with improved success rates , shorter procedure and fluoroscopy times and similar safety profile
OBJECTIVES The objective of our review was to systematic ally assess available evidence on the effectiveness , safety and efficiency of a spring sensor-irrigated contact force ( CF ) catheter ( THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH Catheter ( ST ) ) for percutaneous ablation of paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation ( AF ) , compared with other ablation catheters , or with the ST with the operator blinded to CF data .
BACKGROUND Emerging evidence suggests improved clinical outcomes of AF ablation using CF-sensing catheters ; however , review s to date have included data from multiple , distinct CF technologies .