“Honey pot”-like lesion formation: Impact of catheter contact angle on lesion formation by novel diamond-embedded temperature-controlled ablation catheter in a porcine experimental model

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BackgroundNovel diamond-embedded catheter enables precise temperature-controlled ablation. However, the effects of contact angle on lesion formation of this catheter are poorly understood. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate lesion formation using the temperature-controlled ablation catheter embedded with diamond at different angles in a porcine experimental model. MethodsFreshly sacrificed porcine hearts were used. Radiofrequency catheter ablation was performed at 50 W for 15 seconds at an upper temperature setting of 60°C. The contact force (5g, 10g, 30g) and catheter contact angles (30°, 45°, 90°) were changed in each set (n = 13 each). Surface width, maximum lesion width, lesion depth, surface area, distance from the distal edge to the widest area, and impedance drop were evaluated. ResultsSurface width and maximum lesion width were longer at 30° than at 90° (P <.05). There were no significant differences in the lesion depth by catheter angle except at 30g. Surface area was larger at 30° than at 90° (P <.05). Distance from the distal edge to the widest area was longer at 30° than at 90° (P <.05). There were no significant differences in impedance drop according to catheter angle. ConclusionWith diamond-embedded temperature-controlled ablation catheters, lesion width increased at a shallower contact angle, whereas lesion depth did not. Surface area also increased at a shallower contact angle. This catheter created a large ablation lesion on the proximal side of the catheter, which looked like a “honey pot.”