Abstract
Open irrigation ablation catheters are now the standard in radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF). Among various irrigation catheters, laser-cut slit-based irrigation system (Cool Flex and FlexAbility) has a unique design to cool the catheter tip more efficiently. We aimed to assess the safety of slit-based irrigation catheters regarding prevention of procedure-related ischemic complication in AF patients undergoing RFCA. The analysis was performed with Korea University Medicine Anam Hospital RFCA registry. Procedure-related ischemic complication was defined as ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurring within 30 days after RFCA. Patients were divided into 3 groups: non-irrigation, hole-based irrigation, and slit-based irrigation catheter groups. A total of 3,120 AF patients underwent first RFCA. Non-irrigation, non-slit-based irrigation, and slit-based irrigation catheters were used in 290, 1,539, and 1,291 patients, respectively. As compared with non-irrigation and non-slit-based irrigation catheter groups, slit-based irrigation catheter group had significantly older age, higher prevalence of non-paroxysmal AF, large left atrial size, and decreased left atrial appendage flow velocity. The CHA2DS2-VASc score was not different among the 3 groups. Procedure-related ischemic complication occurred in 17 patients (0.54%) with 16 ischemic strokes and 1 TIA event: 5/290 (1.72%), 11/1,539 (0.71%), and 1/1,291 (0.08%) events in non-irrigation, non-slit-based irrigation, and slit-based irrigation catheter groups, respectively (p = 0.001). Slit-based irrigation catheter was superior in direct comparison with non-slit-based irrigation catheter (0.71% vs. 0.08%; p = 0.009). Slit-based irrigation catheters were highly effective in preventing procedure-related ischemic complications.
Highlights
Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) is an established treatment which is associated with significantly improved quality of life [1]
During June 1998 to April 2019, a total of 3,120 patients underwent their first RFCA for AF with 290 non-irrigation, 1,539 non-slit-based irrigation, and 1,291 slit-based irrigation ablation catheters
This study revealed that slit-based irrigation catheters can be effective in preventing procedure-related ischemic complication
Summary
Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF) is an established treatment which is associated with significantly improved quality of life [1]. Recent clinical trials suggest that RFCA can improve quality of life and hard clinical. Republic of Korea strictly inhibits public sharing of individual patient-level data such as age, sex, body weight, or medical histories. Institutional Review Boards of Korea University Medical Center Anam Hospital prohibits public sharing of individual patient-level data. These raw data can be provided to interested researchers upon approval of the Institutional Review Boards. The data can be requested from the Institutional Review Board of Korea University Medical Center Anam Hospital (contact via +82-02920-6566, or +82-02-920-6086, eirbadmin@kumc. or.kr, or http://irb.kumc.or.kr)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
