Comparison of Temperature-Controlled and Power-Controlled Catheters for Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Patients with WPW Syndrome

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there is any advantage to use temperature-controlled catheters (Blazer T or Marinr) over the conventional catheter system (Polaris or Blazer) which can control power only. The study material consisted of 73 patients (25 females, 48 males; mean age 35 .8± 12.9 years; range 5-69 year) with WPW syndrome. The radiofrequency equipment (Radionics, EPT or Atakr generator) operated in the power control (PC) mode in 24 procedures in 21 patients and in the temperature control (TC) mode in 62 procedures in 52 patients. The mean age (34.8±12.2 vs 35.6±13.2 years, respectively), ratio of male to female patients (12/9 vs 36/16, respectively) and localizations of accessory pathways were not statistically different in the PC and IC groups. Number of applications (12.6±9.7 and 15.6±10.3, respectively), total duration of applications (363.9±330 see and 438.2±407.7 see, respectively), total energy (14313±10470 Joule and 14474±12633 Joule, respectively) and number of impedance rise (0.7±0.9 and 0.4±1.5, respectively) were not significantly different in the groups of PC and TC. Duration of ablation (97.0±71.6 min and 139.2±96.8 min, respectively, p<0.05) and fluoroscopy time (30.0±20.2 min and 40.0±14.1 min, respectively, p<0.05) in TC group were significantly less than those of PC group. There was no statistically difference on the rates of success (71% vs 79%, respectively), complication (12% vs 6%, respectively) and recurrence (4% vs 8%, respectively) in the PC and TC. In according to patient basis, the overall rate of success was 90.4% (66/73), complication rate 10% (7 /73) and recurrence rate 8 % (6/73). We concluded that although there was a slight tendency, the use of temperature-controlled catheters did not improve the efficacy and safety of RFA procedures, but it reduced the duration of RFA and fluoroscopy.