Procedural data:
Procedural data are shown in Table 1. Mean RF time was 8.1+/-2.8min, procedure duration was 84.5+/-30min. Fluoroscopy dose was 146.7 +/- 221.4 cGym2. Complete PVI was achieved in all patients. During Adenosine challenge n=14 (29%) patients showed dormant conduction. Following additional ablation, all PVs showed entrance block confirmed by the LASSO catheter.
Average contact force, local temperature and impedance drop, applied current and energy as well as mean applied power are displayed for each segment of the pulmonary veins in Figure 2. The overall maximal measured catheter tip temperature was 52.0°C +/- 4.6°C, mean overall applied current was 871mA +/-44mA and over all applied energy was 316J +/-47J. The mean local impedance drop was 12.1 +/- 2.4 Ohms.
The ablation mode had to be changed to QMode with 50watts/15seconds in 59% of patients (n=27) due to ineffectiveness of local electrogram abolition using 90watts/4 seconds. Especially in areas with thicker myocardial tissue like the ridge or the carinas between the veins an ablation mode change from 90 watts/4sec to 50watts/15sec was necessary.