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Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
THERMAL PROFILES OF PULSED FIELD ABLATION CATHETERS
Sanjai Pattu Valappil1, Sai Kiran Kakarla1, Alexis Puvrez1
1Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, Adelaide University and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia.
Heart Rhythm
|August 4, 2026
Summary
Pulsed field ablation (PFA) catheter heating varies significantly, with some systems causing over 15°C rises. These findings help categorize PFA devices by their thermal profiles for safer clinical application.
Area of Science:
- Electrophysiology
- Medical Devices
- Thermal Ablation
Background:
- Pulsed field ablation (PFA) primarily uses irreversible electroporation (IRE) for cell death.
- Joule heating during PFA can lead to significant temperature increases.
- Understanding thermal profiles is crucial for PFA safety and efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the thermal profiles of six distinct PFA catheters.
- To measure peak surface temperatures and characterize ablation lesions.
- To assess ex vivo thermal performance using a vegetal model.
Main Methods:
- Six PFA catheters (Farawave, PulseSelect, Volt, Varipulse, Electropulse, Sphere-9) were tested.
- Thermal imaging with an infrared camera was employed.
- Ex vivo Solanum Tuberosum specimens were used, followed by TTC staining to identify ablation zones.
Main Results:
- All PFA systems showed reproducible thermal signatures.
- Peak temperature rises ranged from 1.3±0.2 °C (Volt) to 15.1±1 °C (Varipulse with low irrigation).
- Catheters exhibited localized or distributed heating patterns, with distinct IRE lesions and surrounding RE tissue.
Conclusions:
- PFA systems demonstrate diverse thermal characteristics.
- Catheters can be classified into low (0-6 °C), moderate (6-12 °C), and high (12-18 °C) heating profiles.
- This categorization aids in selecting appropriate PFA devices based on thermal behavior.
