Tissue temperature feedback control of power: the key to successful ablation

Multiple ablation technologies are used to treat atrial fibrillation during cardiac operations. All such ablation technologies use locally induced temperature extremes (>50°C or <-20°C) to kill tissue and create a lesion pattern in the atria which blocks activation pathways that initiate and sustain atrial fibrillation. The technologies used to heat tissue have included radiofrequency (RF), microwave, high-intensity focused ultrasound, and infrared laser. RF accounts for more than 95% of the heating-based ablation technology used by cardiac surgeons. Energy delivery with RF is easier to control than with some other technologies, the heating produced by the energy source is well understood, and manufacturing costs are not excessive. Whichever heating technology is used, control of energy delivery is required to ensure both safe and effective heating of the targeted tissue. All targeted tissue needs to be heated above 50°C to achieve cell death. However, the targeted tissue should not be heated above 100°C, as this can cause perforation due to a steam pop. In addition, adjacent noncardiac tissues must not be damaged during the ablation procedure. The best method to achieve this control uses direct measurement of tissue temperature, because the tissue temperature defines both the safe and effective limits for the ablative process.