Gold vs. platinum-iridium tip catheter for cavotricuspid isthmus ablation: the AURUM 8 study

Aims Gold electrodes have the theoretical advantage of creating bigger lesions than platinum–iridium (Pt–Ir) electrodes. We performed a prospective randomized study to compare the clinical efficacy of standard 8 mm Pt–Ir tip catheter (control) and 8 mm gold-tip catheters in the ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI)-dependent atrial flutter. Methods and results A total of 463 patients undergoing CTI ablation in 19 clinical centres were randomized to receive the treatment by gold-tip or control catheter. The primary endpoint was cumulative radiofrequency (RF) application duration until achieving bidirectional CTI block. It did not differ significantly for the two catheters. The gold-tip…