0000000001037890
AUTHOR
Lars Lickfett
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…
In vitro comparison of platinum-iridium and gold tip electrodes: lesion depth in 4 mm, 8 mm, and irrigated-tip radiofrequency ablation catheters
Aims We compared a newly developed irrigated gold tip electrode ablation catheter and a gold tip 4 and 8 mm catheter with the corresponding platinum–iridium (Pt) tip catheters in an in vitro setting. Methods and results In a flow chamber simulating physiological flow conditions, radiofrequency catheter ablation was performed on tissue samples of porcine endomyocardium and liver. Lesion depth, energy and temperature delivery, and popping frequency were determined. Two hundred and fifty-three ablations were conducted. Four and eight millimetre, gold tip electrode catheters produced significantly deeper lesions compared with the Pt tip electrode (liver 4 mm: 4.67 ± 1.7 vs. 2.9 ± 1.0 mm, P < 0.…