G. Stabile et al., FEASIBILITY AND SAFETY OF 2 FRENCH ELECTRODE CATHETERS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL STUDIES, PACE, 21(11), 1998, pp. 2506-2509
The aim of this study was to analyze prospectively the feasibility and
safety of using 2 Fr versus 6 Fr standard electrode catheters for dia
gnostic electrophysiological study. Methods: Two hundred and five cons
ecutive patients were randomized to receive the 6 Fr approach (3 quadr
ipolar, 6 Fr, electrode catheters inserted through the left or right f
emoral vein and placed in the high right atrium, right ventricular ape
x, and His bundle area) or the 2 Fr approach (3 quadripolar, 2 Fr, ele
ctrode catheters inserted through a single, 7 Fr, triple lumen, guidin
g catheter and positioned at the same sites as the 6 Fr approach). Res
ults: introduction time was shorter in the 2 Fr group (133.3 +/- 65 s,
range 87-669 s) than in the 6 Fr group (242.8 +/- 91.8 s, range 168-1
024 s, P < 0.001). The overall fluoroscopy time was longer in the 2 Fr
group (141.2 +/- 40.1 s, range 78-312 s) than in the 6 Fr group (126.
4 +/- 39.7 st range 58-342 s, P = 0.009). However in the last 100 pati
ents there was no more difference between the two groups (137.6 +/- 28
.2 s vs 128.4 +/- 23.2 s, P = 0.07). There was no significant differen
ce between 2 Fr and 6 Fr groups in the mean atrial (5.9 +/- 2.2 mV, ra
nge 2.2-11.3 mV, vs 6.1 +/- 2.3 mV, range 2.4-12.4 mV, P = 0.57) and v
entricular (5.6 +/- 2.2 mV, range 1.9-9.7 mV, vs 5.7 +/- 2.2 mV, range
2.3-10.5 mV, P = 0.66) activation potential amplitudes recorded durin
g sinus rhythm, or in the rate of stable His bundle potential recordin
g (P = 0.3), and catheter dislodgment (P = 0.54). The overall number o
f complications was significantly higher in the 6 Fr group than in the
2 Fr group (29 vs 5, P = 0.001) as well as the number of entry site r
elated complications (3 vs 12, P = 0.02) and catheter manipulation rel
ated complications 12 vs 17 P ( 0.001). Conclusions: The results of th
is study show that the use of 2 Fr electrode catheters reduces the rat
es of entry site and catheter manipulation related complications durin
g EPS. Despite their small size, these catheters allow quick and preci
se positioning of the electrode.