The optimal ablation setting for a local impedance guided catheter in an in vitro experimental model

Background: The local impedance (LI) reflects the electrical catheter-tissue coupling and correlates with the local tissue temperature. However, there have been few clinical studies showing the recommended method for LI monitoring catheters. This study aimed to investigate the optimal ablation setting for this catheter in an in vitro experimental model. Methods: LI monitoring catheters were used in an excised swine heart experimental model. The tissue contact force (CF) was directly monitored from an external weight scale. Radiofrequency ablation was performed with a combination of various energy power settings (30, 40, and 50 W), and various CFs (10, 30, and 50 g) for 60 s. The correlation between the LI-related indexes, power, and CF with the lesion formation was statistically analyzed. Results: A positive correlation between the LI or lesion formation and CF was observed under all powers. Although the LI drop always correlated with the maximum lesion depth, lesion diameter, and lesion volume, the coefficient of the correlation value was lower under a high CF (lesion depth, diameter, and volume; 10 g, r = 0.8064, r = 0.8389, r = 0.8477; 30 g, r = 0.7590, r = 0.8063, r = 0.8060; 50 g r = 0.5555, r = 0.5701, and r = 0.5678, respectively). Steam pops occurred only under a 50 W ablation and the LI drop cutoff value for steam pops was 46 Ω. Conclusion: The same LI drop did not always lead to the same lesion size when the CF differed. Monitoring the LI and not exceeding 46 Ω would be useful for a safe ablation.