Slit-based Irrigation Catheters can Reduce Procedure-related Ischemic
Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Undergoing Radiofrequency
Catheter Ablation
Abstract
Introduction: Open irrigation ablation catheters are now the standard in
radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF).
Among various irrigation catheters, laser-cut slit-based irrigation
system (Cool Flex and FlexAbility) has a unique design to cool the
catheter tip more efficiently. We aimed to assess the safety of
slit-based irrigation catheters regarding prevention of
procedure-related ischemic complication in AF patients undergoing RFCA.
Methods and Results: The analysis was performed with Korea University
Medicine Anam Hospital RFCA registry. Procedure-related ischemic
complication was defined as ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack
(TIA) occurring within 30 days after RFCA. Patients were divided into 3
groups: non-irrigation, hole-based irrigation, and slit-based irrigation
catheter groups. A total of 3,120 AF patients underwent first RFCA.
Non-irrigation, non-slit-based irrigation, and slit-based irrigation
catheters were used in 290, 1,539, and 1,291 patients, respectively. As
compared with non-irrigation and non-slit-based irrigation catheter
groups, slit-based irrigation catheter group had significantly older
age, higher prevalence of non-paroxysmal AF, large left atrial size, and
decreased left atrial appendage flow velocity. The CHA2DS2-VASc score
was not different among the 3 groups. Procedure-related ischemic
complication occurred in 17 patients (0.54%) with 16 ischemic strokes
and 1 TIA event: 5/290 (1.72%), 11/1,539 (0.71%), and 1/1,291 (0.08%)
events in non-irrigation, non-slit-based irrigation, and slit-based
irrigation catheter groups, respectively (p = 0.001). Slit-based
irrigation catheter was superior in direct comparison with
non-slit-based irrigation catheter (0.71% vs. 0.08%; p = 0.009).
Conclusions: Slit-based irrigation catheters were highly effective in
preventing procedure-related ischemic complications.