THERMISTOR GUIDED RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION OF ATRIAL INSERTION SITES IN PATIENTS WITH ACCESSORY PATHWAYS

Radiofrequency ablation has gained acceptance in the treatment of pati ents with symptomatic Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. The purpose of t his study was to characterize the relation between temperature and oth er electroconductive parameters in patients undergoing atrial insertio n accessory pathway ablation utilizing a thermistor equipped catheter. The mean temperature and power at sites of atrial insertion ablation are lower than has been previously associated with creation of radiofr equency lesions in the ventricle. While high cavitary bloodflow in the atrium may result in cooling, the thinner atrial tissue may require l ess energy to achieve adequate heating than ventricular myocardium.