Distribution of excitation recoverable myocardium after radiofrequency ablation and its relation to energy application time and irrigation

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionRadiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation induces excitation recoverable myocardium around durable core lesions, and its distribution may be different depending on energy delivery methods.Methods and ResultsIn coronary perfusing porcine hearts, pacing threshold through the ventricle was measured using eight‐pole (1‐mm distance) needle electrodes vertically inserted into myocardium before, within 3 min after and 40 min after 40 W ablation with 10‐g catheter contact (Group 1: irrigation catheter for 15 s, Group 2: irrigation catheter for 40 s, Group 3: nonirrigation catheter for 15 s, Group 4: nonirrigation catheter for 40 s). Ablation was accomplished in all 12 ablations in Groups 1–3 whereas in 8/12 ablations in Group 4 because of high‐temperature rise. Within 3 min after ablation, 10.0 V pacing uncaptured electrodes were distributed from the surface to inside the myocardium, and its depth was deeper in 40 s than in 15 s ablation. 40 min after ablation, excitation recovery at one or more electrodes below the durable lesion was observed in all Groups. Excitation recovery electrodes were also observed on the surface in Group 1 but not the other Groups. Accordingly, the number of excitation‐recovered electrodes were larger in Group 1 than the other Groups.ConclusionsRegardless of the ablation methods, excitation recoverable myocardium was present around 1.0 mm below the durable lesions. Lesions created by short application time using an irrigation catheter may have included large excitation recoverable myocardium soon after ablation because of the presence of reversible myocardium on well‐irrigated myocardial surfaces.