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 .
Contact force sensing for ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation: A randomized, multicenter trial.
BACKGROUND Impact of contact force sensing ( CFS ) on ablation of persistent atrial fibrillation ( PeAF ) is unknown . OBJECTIVE The purpose of the TOUCH AF ( Therapeutic Outcomes Using Contact force H and ling during Ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation ) r and omized trial was to compare CFS-guided ablation to a CFS-blinded strategy . METHODS Patients ( n = 128 ) undergoing first-time ablation for persistent AF were r and omized to a CFS-guided vs CFS-blinded strategy . In the CFS-guided procedure , operators visualized real-time force data . In the blinded procedure , force data were hidden . Wide antral pulmonary vein isolation plus a roof line were performed . Patients were followed at 3 , 6 , 9 , and 12 months with clinical visit , ECG , and 48-hour Holter monitoring . The primary endpoint was cumulative radiofrequency ( RF ) time for all procedures . Atrial arrhythmia > 30 seconds after 3 months was a recurrence . RESULTS PeAF was continuous for 26 weeks ( interquartile range [ IQR ] 13 - 52 ) , and left atrial size was 45 ± 5 mm . Force in the CFS-blinded and CFS-guided arms was 12 g [ IQR 6 - 20 ] and 14 g [ IQR 9 - 20 ] ( P = .10 ) , respectively . Total RF time did not differ between CFS-guided and CFS-blinded groups ( 49 ± 14 min vs 50 ± 20 min , respectively ; P = .70 ) . Single procedure freedom from atrial arrhythmia was 60 % in the CFS-guided arm and 63 % in the CFS-blinded arm off drugs . Lesions with gaps were associated with significantly less force ( 11.4 g [ IQR 6 - 19 ] vs 13.2 g [ IQR 8 - 20 ] , respectively ; P = .0007 ) and less force-time integral ( 174 gs [ IQR 91 - 330 ] vs 210 gs [ IQR 113 - 388 ] , respectively ; P < .001 ) . CONCLUSION CFS-guided ablation result ed in no difference to RF time or 12-month outcome . Lower force/force-time integral was associated with significantly more gaps
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 .