[Evaluation of the anatomopathological characteristics and the safety of radiofrequency lesions at the atrial level with two different systems of irrigated tip catheters on an experimental level].
OBJECTIVE
We performed this study to evaluate the security and efficacy in the lesions produced on the atrial wall by different irrigated catheters in an experimental model. We evaluated the anatomopathologic characteristics of the lesions produced by two different systems of irrigated tip catheters, with opened or closed circuit.


METHODS
This study was performed in 16 pigs applying 60 sec radiofrequency pulses with three different energy levels (15, 25 y 50 Watts). Two different systems of radiofrequency ablation irrigated catheters were used, opened and closed. We used 4 pigs in which we performed ablation with a standard catheter as a control group. Under fluoroscopic guidance, catheters were placed on the high and low right atrial lateral wall, where lesions were produced. After 7 days, animals were sacrificed for anatomopathological study.


RESULTS
A total of 27 lesions were performed with irrigated catheters (11 closed circuit and 16 opened) and 6 with standard catheters in the control group. We did not find significant differences in the lesion characteristics between the two different systems of irrigated tip catheter used, nevertheless lesions performed with the closed system were slightly greater. Th lesions produced with irrigated catheters were always superior in the control group. Transmurality in the free atrial wall is frequent with both systems. We did not see any perforation in the atrial wall.


CONCLUSIONS
We did not find significant differences in the size of the lesions produced with the two systems of irrigated catheters used. These data from an experimental model can provide useful information for atrial tachycardia radiofrequency ablation procedures in humans.
Socas
A
A
Servicio de Cardiología, Unidad de Arritmias, Departamento de Medicina, Universidad de Alcala, Madrid, Spain.
Hernández Madrid
A
A
González Rebollo
J M
JM
Manuel Del Rey
J
J
Peña
G
G
Rodríguez
A
A
Cano
L
L
Correa
C
C
Ortiz Chercoles
A I
AI
Moro
C
C
D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000473:pathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D013552:Swine; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000379:methods