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Detection of inadvertent catheter movement into the coronary sinus ostium or middle cardiac vein by real-time impedance monitoring prior to radiofrequency ablation in the right atrial posteroseptal region

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Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of continuous catheter impedance monitoring prior to ablation to facilitate differentiation of the coronary sinus ostium (CSO) and the middle cardiac vein (MCV) from the right atrial posteroseptal region (RPS).

Background

Empiric observations have suggested that continuous catheter impedance monitoring could differentiate the CSO and MCV from the RPS region. Radiofrequency ablation in the MCV or coronary sinus has been associated with coronary artery injury. Differentiation of these areas may be difficult with either fluoroscopy or electrogram characteristics.

Methods and results

Continuous impedance measurements using a 4-mm Navistar (Biosense Webster) ablation catheter were conducted in 17 consecutive patients undergoing ablation for supraventricular tachycardia. The average impedance value was recorded at the right atrial septum (RS) posterior to the bundle of His, the RPS region, within 1 cm inside the CSO and in the MCV. These areas were confirmed and demarcated with 3-D mapping and biplane fluoroscopy. A significant increase in impedance was observed between the CSO (X = 146.6 ± 24.8) and RPS \( \left( {\bar{x} = {112}.0\, \pm \, {12}.{6}} \right) \) regions (p < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant rise in impedance was seen between the MCV \( \left( {\bar{x} = {2}0{7}.{5}\, \pm \, {45}.{8}} \right) \) and RPS and CSO, respectively (p < 0.001). No significant change in impedance was found between the RS \( \left( {\bar{x} = {112}.{9}\, \pm \, {9}.{1}} \right) \) and RPS regions.

Conclusions

Continuous impedance measurements during mapping can facilitate differentiation of catheter locations inside the CSO and MCV from extracoronary sinus regions. This may reduce the risk of inadvertent coronary artery damage during the ablation procedure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arrhythmia and Ablation Center, Department of Cardiology, Florida Hospital, Orlando, FL, USA

    Scott J. Pollak, Heather Seckel, Joseph Monir, George Ebra & George Monir

  2. Florida Heart Group, 1613 North Mills Avenue, Orlando, FL, 32803, USA

    George Monir

Authors
  1. Scott J. Pollak
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  2. Heather Seckel
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  3. Joseph Monir
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  4. George Ebra
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  5. George Monir
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Correspondence to George Monir.

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Pollak, S.J., Seckel, H., Monir, J. et al. Detection of inadvertent catheter movement into the coronary sinus ostium or middle cardiac vein by real-time impedance monitoring prior to radiofrequency ablation in the right atrial posteroseptal region. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 34, 311–315 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-012-9667-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-012-9667-4

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