Search

This multicenter European survey systematically evaluated the impact of using contact force-sensing catheters (CFSCs) on fluoroscopy and procedure time in interventional electrophysiology. Data from 25 participating centers were collected and analyzed, also considering important confounders. With the use of CFSCs, fluoroscopy time was reduced for right- and left-sided atrial ablations (median −6.4 to −9.6 min, p < 0.001 for both groups), whereas no such effect could be found for ventricular ablations. Moreover, the use of CFSCs was associated with an increase in procedure time for right-sided atrial and ventricular ablations (median +26.0 and +44.0 min, respectively, p < 0.001 for both groups), but not for left-sided atrial ablations. These findings were confirmed independent of career level and operator volume, except for very highly experienced electrophysiologists, in whom the effect was blunted. In the subset of pulmonary vein isolations (PVIs), CFSCs were shown to reduce both fluoroscopy and procedure time. In conclusion, the use of CFSCs was associated with a reduced fluoroscopy time for atrial ablations and an increased procedure time for right atrial and ventricular ablations. These effects were virtually independent of the operator experience and caseload. When considering only PVIs as an important subset, CFSCs were shown to reduce both fluoroscopy and procedure time.

Introduction: Cardiac tamponade is a rare but life-threatening complication during atrial fibrillation (AF) catheter ablation. Contact force (CF)-sensing catheters improve ablation effectiveness. However, the impact of the application of CF-sensing catheters on the occurrence of cardiac tamponade remains unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the "real-world" impact of CF-sensing catheters on cardiac tamponade during AF ablation in an experienced medical center.Methods and Results: This was a retrospective study of consecutive de novo AF ablation procedures at Beijing Anzhen Hospital between 2013 and 2016. The ablation procedure was divided into a CF group and a non-CF group. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between the use of CF-sensing catheters and the risk of cardiac tamponade. A total of 5313 patients with AF were involved in this study. The incidence of cardiac tamponade in the CF group was significantly higher than that in the non-CF group (1.07% vs. 0.44%, P = 0.009). Of the cardiac tamponade cases in the non-CF group, 45.45% were delayed compared with 10% in the CF group (P = 0.011). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CF-sensing catheters increased the risk of cardiac tamponade (OR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.17-4.26, P = 0.015). Stratified analysis revealed patients with a smaller left atrium dimension, lower ejection fraction, longer procedure duration, or longer ablation duration had a greater risk of cardiac tamponade during ablation with CF-sensing catheters.Conclusions: CF-sensing catheters increase the risk of cardiac tamponade during AF ablation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This multicenter European survey systematically evaluated the impact of using contact force-sensing catheters (CFSCs) on fluoroscopy and procedure time in interventional electrophysiology. Data from 25 participating centers were collected and analyzed, also considering important confounders. With the use of CFSCs, fluoroscopy time was reduced for right- and left-sided atrial ablations (median −6.4 to −9.6 min, p < 0.001 for both groups), whereas no such effect could be found for ventricular ablations. Moreover, the use of CFSCs was associated with an increase in procedure time for right-sided atrial and ventricular ablations (median +26.0 and +44.0 min, respectively, p < 0.001 for both groups), but not for left-sided atrial ablations. These findings were confirmed independent of career level and operator volume, except for very highly experienced electrophysiologists, in whom the effect was blunted. In the subset of pulmonary vein isolations (PVIs), CFSCs were shown to reduce both fluoroscopy and procedure time. In conclusion, the use of CFSCs was associated with a reduced fluoroscopy time for atrial ablations and an increased procedure time for right atrial and ventricular ablations. These effects were virtually independent of the operator experience and caseload. When considering only PVIs as an important subset, CFSCs were shown to reduce both fluoroscopy and procedure time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]