A Systematical Analysis of In Vivo Contact Forces on Virtual Catheter Tip/Tissue Surface Contact during Cardiac Mapping and Intervention

• Published in: Journal of cardiovascular electrophysiology 2008-06, Vol.19 (6), p.632-640
• Main Authors: OKUMURA, YASUO, JOHNSON, SUSAN B., BUNCH, T. JARED, HENZ, BENHUR D., O'BRIEN, CHRISTINE J., PACKER, DOUGLAS L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - diagnosis; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - physiopathology; atrial fibrillation; Body Surface Potential Mapping - instrumentation; Cardiac Catheterization - instrumentation; catheter ablation; Disease Models, Animal; Dogs; Echocardiography; electrophysiology; Equipment Design; Fluoroscopy; imaging; mapping; Prognosis
• ISSN: 1045-3873; 1540-8167
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2008.01135.x

Introduction: While catheter tip/tissue contact has been shown to be an important determinant of ablative lesions in in vitro studies, the impact of contact on the outcomes of mapping and ablation in the intact heart has not been evaluated. Methods and Results: Twelve dogs underwent atrial ablation guided by the Senesi™ robotic catheter remote control system. After intracardiac ultrasound (ICE) validation of contact force measured by an in‐line mechanical sensor, the relationship between contact force and individual lesion formation was established during irrigated‐tipped ablation (flow 17 mL/sec) at 15 watts for 30 seconds. Minimal contact by ICE correlated with force of 4.7 ± 5.8 grams, consistent contact 9.9 ± 8.6 grams and tissue tenting produced 25.0 ± 14.0 grams. Conversely, catheter tip/tissue contact by ICE was predicted by contact force. A contact force of 10–20 and ≥20 grams generated full‐thickness, larger volume ablative lesions than that created with