In Vivo Tissue Temperature Characteristics of Contact Force Catheter With a Mesh‐Shaped Irrigation Tip: A Porcine Study

• DOI: 10.1111/pace.15147
• Publication Date: 2025-01-27T14:43:35Z
• Authors: Masanaru Sawada; Naoto Otsuka; Koichi Nagashima; Ryuta Watanabe; Yuji Wakamatsu; Satoshi Hayashida; Shu Hirata; Moyuru Hirata; Sayaka Kurokawa; Yasuo Okumura; Kenta Uto; Hiroyuki Hao; Rie Takahashi; Yoshiki Taniguchi
• Keywords: Thermocouple; Thoracotomy; Cardiac Ablation

ABSTRACT Background Neither the actual in vivo tissue temperatures reached with a novel contact force sensing catheter mesh‐shaped irrigation tip (TactiFlex SE, Abbott) nor safety profile has been elucidated. Methods In porcine model ( n = 8), thermocouples were implanted epicardially superior vena cava, right pulmonary vein, and esophagus close to inferior cava following thoracotomy. After chest closure, endocardial ablation was conducted near under fluoroscopic guidance. We compared during 50 W/13‐s high‐power short‐duration (HPSD) 30 W/30‐s standard ablation. Results No steam pops observed 34 HPSD 35 applications. Tmax (maximum temperature when thermocouple located ≤5 mm from tip) modestly higher (60.1°C ± 12.4°C vs. 57.8°C 12.9°C; p 0.46). The peak correlated inversely tip‐to‐thermocouple distance (HPSD: r −0.40; standard: −0.57). Lethal (≥50°C) faster (6.5 3.2 s 10.3 8.6 s; 0.04) achieving lethal ≥50°C (indicative of lesion depth) slightly shallower (4.2 4.8 mm, respectively). esophageal injury occurred superficially both settings (0.98 0.22 1.16 0.18 mm; 0.29). Conclusions produced more rapid increase around veno‐atrial junction shorter required reach temperatures. This data contributes understanding effective creation collateral prevention TactiFlex catheter.