Abstract
Radiofrequency (RF) ablation has been the most widely employed energy
source for catheter ablation to date. However, most of conventional RF
ablation energy dissipates into the bloodstream before reaching the
target tissue. Technology that conveys RF energy exclusively toward
target tissue may potentially improve the quality, safety, and outcome
of the RF ablation procedures. RF ablation using a novel insulated-tip
catheter (SMT, Sirona Medical Technologies, Windsor, CT) may refine RF
ablation in the future to minimize the risk of iatrogenic complications.
Although it is still unclear whether the results of the SMT catheter can
be translated to a human beating heart, the data for SMT catheter of
this study are very promising.