Use of the new contact force sensing ablation catheter dramatically reduces fluoroscopy time during atrial fibrillation ablation procedures

OBJECTIVES To study the impact of contact force (CF) sensing on fluoroscopy, procedure, left atrial (LA) and ablation times and number of ablations during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. BACKGROUND Catheter ablation is an effective treatment for symptomatic AF. Recently a new ablation catheter providing real-time CF has been approved for use. METHODS A nested case-control study was performed comparing radiofrequency ablation of AF using the irrigated CF-sensing ThermoCool SmartTouch catheter versus open-irrigated ThermoCool SF catheter (Biosense Webster, Inc., Diamond Bar, California). Demographic and procedure data were obtained and student t-test was used to compare data between groups. RESULTS Thirty consecutive adult patients were included with 15 patients in each group. Mean fluoroscopy time was significantly lower in CF group (19.4 ± 8 vs 40.7 ± 8 min, p < 0.0001). LA time was significantly lower in CF group (151.7 ± 44 vs 185.7 ± 35 min, p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in procedure time between CF and SF groups (204 ± 37 vs 207 ± 36 min) and ablation time (121 ± 32 vs 122 ± 37 min). When patients who only underwent pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) were compared, fluoroscopy time was significantly lower in CF group (18 ± 9 vs 37.8 ± 5 min, p < 0.0001) as was LA time (141.4 ± 39 vs 171.8 ± 30 min, p = 0.04). Fluoroscopy time was also significantly lower in CF subgroup with additional ablation (20.9 ± 7 vs 44.9 ± 10 min, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Use of CF-sensing catheter significantly reduced fluoroscopy and LA times during AF ablation with similar acute efficacy.