Trial: Pulmonary vein antral isolation using an open irrigation ablation catheter

Authors: Kanj MH; Wazni O; Fahmy T; Thal S; Patel D; Elay C; Di Biase L; Arruda M; Saliba W; Schweikert RA; Cummings JE; Burkhardt JD; Martin DO; Pelargonio G; Dello Russo A; Casella M; Santarelli P; Potenza D; Fanelli R; Massaro R; Forleo G; and Natale A.

Reference: JACC 2007;49:1634

Purpose: The study compared an open irriation catheter with a standard 8mm tip catheter for pulmonary antrum isolation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Number of Patients: 180

Number of Centers: 4

Design: Multicenter randomized pilot trial

Authors Conclusion: The use of open irrigation catheters at higher power is associated with a higher incidence of complications than are either lower power open irrigation catheters or standard 8mm tip catheters when performing pulmonary vein isolation.

Key words: Atrial Fibrillation, ablation

Comment: This study demonstrates a decrease in procedure time and fluoroscopy with open irrigation catheters.  The complication rate with high power open irrigation may temper its role as a sole modality for the ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Ongoing Related Studies:

1. Catheter Ablation Versus Thoracoscopic Ablation to Patients With Permanent Atrial Fibrillation
2. Cardioversion vs. Catheter Ablation for Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
3. CACAF2 Study: Catheter Ablation for Cure of Atrial Fibrilation
4. Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation With ARB After Catheter Ablation
5. NAVISTAR® THERMOCOOL® Catheter for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
6. Efficacy and Safety Study on Agilis Nxt Introducer in AF Patients
7. First Line Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Antiarrhythmic Drugs for Atrial Fibrillation Treatment (The RAAFT Study)
8. STAR-AF: Substrate Versus Trigger Ablation for Reduction of Atrial Fibrillation Trial
9. RF Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
10. Efficacy of Different Ablation Strategies for Controlling Atrial Fibrillation
11. The Use of Remote Magnetic Navigation in Catheter Ablation of Heart Arrhythmia
12. Pivotal Clinical Study of Endoscopic Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation (AF) in Patients That Have Failed Drugs
13. A Study of the Effectiveness of Anti-Arrhythmic Medications After Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
14. High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Ablation Systsem Study
15. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Versus Anriarrhythmic Drug Treatment in Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
16. APAF: Assessment of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy in Patients With Permanent Atrial Fibrillation

Summary written by Eric Grubman, MD