Forging ahead: Update on radiofrequency ablation technology and techniques

J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2020 Jan;31(1):360-369. doi: 10.1111/jce.14317. Epub 2019 Dec 18.

Abstract

Innovations in radiofrequency (RF) ablation and nonablative techniques have led to significant advances in addressing complex arrhythmogenic substrates for a variety of cardiac arrhythmias. Anatomical challenges, deep substrate, and mid-myocardial locations may pose difficulties and decrease success rates using routine methods. In this review, we provide an update on novel RF technology and techniques including (a) high-power, low-duration ablation, (b) ablation facilitated by low-ionic irrigant, and (c) bipolar ablation. In addition, we review emerging technologies including electroporation, needle catheter ablation, and ablation with the lattice catheter.

Keywords: ablation; biophysics; bipolar; electroporation; high impedance; lattice catheter; needle ablation; radiofrequency.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / physiopathology
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / surgery*
  • Cardiac Catheterization / adverse effects
  • Cardiac Catheterization / instrumentation
  • Cardiac Catheterization / trends*
  • Cardiac Catheters / trends
  • Catheter Ablation / adverse effects
  • Catheter Ablation / instrumentation
  • Catheter Ablation / trends*
  • Diffusion of Innovation
  • Electrodes / trends
  • Equipment Design / trends
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors
  • Therapeutic Irrigation / adverse effects
  • Therapeutic Irrigation / instrumentation
  • Therapeutic Irrigation / trends*
  • Treatment Outcome