Temperature monitoring during radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures using closed loop control

Abstract

Background. The purpose of this study was to evaluate electrode temperatures obtained using a radiofrequency ablation system that incorporates closed loop feedback control to achieve preset target electrode temperatures and to determine if closed loop temperature control results in a lower incidence of developing a coagulum. Methods and Results. Two hundred seventy patients underwent catheter ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, an accessory pathway, and/or the atrioventricular junction using an ablation system incorporating closed loop feedback control. Forty-five patients underwent catheter ablation in the power control mode in which power output was fixed, and 225 patients underwent catheter ablation in the temperature control mode. A coagulum occurred during 0.8% of radiofrequency applications in the temperature control mode versus 2.2% in the power control mode (P .05). Conclusions. Temperature monitoring with closed loop control of power output facilitates radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures by minimizing the probability of developing a coagulum while ensuring maximum lesion formation.