Comparison of Electrode Cooling Between Internal and Open Irrigation in Radiofrequency Ablation Lesion Depth and Incidence of Thrombus and Steam Pop

Top Cited Papers
Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Background— Electrode cooling by circulating fluid within the electrode (closed loop) or open irrigation facilitates radiofrequency (RF) ablation. This study compared lesion parameters between closed loop and open irrigation with the use of a canine model. Methods and Results— In 8 anesthetized dogs, the skin over the thigh muscle was incised and raised, forming a cradle superfused with heparinized blood (activated clotting time >350 seconds) at 37°C. A 7F 4-mm closed loop electrode (irrigation 36 mL/min) and 7.5F 3.5-mm open irrigation electrode (irrigation 17 mL/min) were positioned perpendicular to the thigh muscle at 10 g contact weight. RF was applied (n=121) at 20 or 30 W for 60 seconds in low (0.1 m/s) or high (0.5 m/s) pulsatile blood flow. Temperatures were measured in the electrode, electrode-tissue interface, and within the tissue at 3- and 7-mm depths. After each RF, the cradle was emptied to examine the electrode and interface for thrombus. There was no difference between closed loop and open irrigation in impedance, lesion depth, or tissue temperature at 20 or 30 W. Interface temperature and electrode temperature were greater in the closed loop application. Thrombus occurred in 32 of 63 closed loop versus 0 of 58 open irrigation RF applications ( P P Conclusions— Lower interface temperature, thrombus, and steam pop, especially in low blood flow, indicate greater interface cooling with open irrigation.