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Bipolar ablation of refractory atrial and ventricular arrhythmias: Importance of temperature values of intracardiac return electrodes
Author(s) -
Futyma Piotr,
Ciąpała Kamil,
Głuszczyk Ryszard,
Sander Jarosław,
Futyma Marian,
Kułakowski Piotr
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.193
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1540-8167
pISSN - 1045-3873
DOI - 10.1111/jce.14025
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , ablation , atrial flutter , intracardiac injection , radiofrequency catheter ablation , refractory (planetary science) , catheter ablation , physics , astrobiology
Bipolar radiofrequency catheter ablation (Bi‐RFCA) emerged as an option for treatment of arrhythmias resistant to the conventional approach. Data on safety issues of Bi‐RFCA, including temperature values of intracardiac return electrode (IRE) are lacking. Objective To determine the safety profile of Bi‐RFCA regarding temperature measurements obtained from nonirrigated IRE of different sizes. Methods The study group consisted of consecutive patients after failed conventional RFCA who underwent Bi‐RFCA. Results Out of 1510 RFCA performed in our center, 19 patients underwent Bi‐RFCA due to refractory to previous RFCA ventricular arrhythmias (15 patients) or typical atrial flutter (four patients). Nonirrigated small (4 mm) and large (8 mm) tip catheters were used as IRE in 14 (including three cross‐overs to 8 mm IRE) and five patients, respectively. A total number of 164 bipolar applications were performed (128 for 4 mm and 36 for 8 mm IRE). Maximal temperatures of 4 mm IRE were significantly higher than those of 8 mm IRE (63°C ± 16°C vs 43°C ± 4°C; P = .027). A significant rise of temperature and steam‐pops, preventing further Bi‐RFCA, occurred in seven patients treated with 4 mm IRE. Bi‐RFCA using 4 mm IRE operated at significantly higher impedance values (211 ± 83 vs 143 ± 38; P = .04) and lower power values (mean 20 W ± 6 W vs 32 W ± 7 W, P = .0005; max 29 W ± 9 W vs 39 W ± 10 W, P = .027). Conclusion The use of 8 mm IRE for Bi‐RFCA is associated with lower temperatures of the catheter used as ground and lower incidence of steam‐pops which may suggest a better safety profile than 4 mm IRE. Determination of safety/efficacy balance requires further studies.