Microwave Ablation of Atrial Flutter

Abstract

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the isthmus between the inferior vena cava and the tricuspid ring has proven to be a safe and successful method of treating atrial flutter (AF). However, RF ablation lesions are small in size requiring a considerable number of energy applications to ablate the AF circuit. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of microwave energy for AF ablation. We report a case of sustained typical AF treated successfully and safely by 1 pulse of microwave (MW) energy. This showed it is possible to treat AF with a small number of pulse applications.

Diagnosis and Management of Typical Atrial Flutter

“…Nonetheless, several clinical and preclinical studies have recently been published on the use of catheter cryoablation and microwave ablation for treatment of atrial flutter and other arrhythmias. [51][52][53][54][55][56][57] Recent studies have been reported demonstrating that catheter cryoablation of type 1 AFL can be achieved with similar results to that achieved with radiofrequency ablation. [51][52][53] The potential advantages of cryoablation include the lack of pain associated with ablation, the ability to produce a large transmural ablation lesion, and the lack of tissue charring or coagulum formation.…”

“…In addition, early work has begun on the use of a linear microwave ablation catheter system (Medwaves, San Diego, CA) with antenna lengths up to 4 cm. [54][55][56][57] These studies have shown the feasibility of linear microwave ablation, which may have the advantage of very rapid ablation of the CTI with a single energy application over the entire length of the ablation electrode.…”

Mapping of Human Atrial Flutter and Its Variants

“…Several clinical and preclinical studies have recently been published on the use of catheter cryoablation and microwave ablation of AFL [43][44][45][46][47][48]. Recent studies have demonstrated that catheter cryoablation of typical AFL can be achieved with results similar to radio-frequency ablation [43,44].…”

“…The potential advantages of cryoablation include less pain associated with ablation, and the lack of tissue charring or coagulum formation. In addition, early work suggests that typical AFL may be ablated with a linear microwave ablation catheter system (MedWaves, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA) with antenna lengths up to 4 cm [45][46][47][48], which may have the advantage of very rapid ablation of the CTI with a single energy application over the entire length of the ablation electrode. 2) and after ablation during pacing to assess for CTI conduction block (Figure 20.11c; Video clip 20.3).…”

Characterization of Microwave's Antennas for Intracardiac Ablation Frequencies 915 and 2450 MHz

“…Other teams have developed sources of energy like cryogenics [3,4,5,6], ultrasound [7], Laser [8] and microwaves [9,10,11].…”