Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026
Reduced Procedure Time and Variability with Active Esophageal Cooling During Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: August 25, 2022
Clinical study of the efficacy of a cooled-tip catheter ablation system for common atrial flutter
Kaoru Okishige1, Kazutaka Aonuma, Yasuteru Yamauchi
1Cardiovascular Center, Yokohama Red Cross Hospital, Japan. okishige@yo.rim.or.jp
Background:
Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RF-CA) of common atrial flutter (AFL) requires the creation of a transmural incision to create a bidirectional conduction block in the cavotricuspid isthmus (ITH).
Methods And Results:
RF-CA of the ITH using a cooled-tip system was carried out in 40 patients. In the 'conventional' mode (CONV) of the system, RF energy was applied for 2 min with the temperature set at 60 degrees C and power of up to 50 W, and in the failed cases the 'cooled-tip' mode (COOL) was utilized at 45 degrees C with up to 30 W (with a 15 ml/min saline flow rate). Of the 40 patients, 29 crossed over from the CONV to the COOL after a failed ablation of the AFL. As a result, in all 40 patients a complete linear incision could be created with either the COOL or the CONV, resulting in the successful abolition of the AFL. Complete bi-directional block was successfully created in all patients. No significant side effects occurred.
Conclusions:
The COOL was found to be more effective and just as safe as the CONV for AFL ablation, thus facilitating the rapid and complete elimination of the AFL.
