Clinical use of cooled radiofrequency ablation

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2008 Jul;19(7):769-73. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2008.01193.x. Epub 2008 May 9.

Abstract

Irrigated (cooled) radiofrequency (RF) ablation has become our primary ablation tool for treating atrial fibrillation, macroreentrant atrial tachycardias, and scar-related ventricular tachycardias. As with any technology that increases ablation lesion size, there is the potential for increased risk. The methods described are a cautious approach to power titration that considers the risks of excessive heating and the lesion size needed for a particular site. Future methods of assessing lesion creation will hopefully refine energy titration to improve safety and efficacy of cooled RF ablation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Burns / etiology*
  • Burns / prevention & control*
  • Catheter Ablation / adverse effects*
  • Catheter Ablation / methods*
  • Humans
  • Hypothermia, Induced / methods*