LAUSR

PurposeDespite the wide use of cryoenergy, there is a paucity of data regarding the impact of certain ablation parameters on lesion size. Specifically, this study sought to evaluate the impact of catheter type, ablation time, heat load, and tip orientation on lesion dimensions using a porcine thigh model with focal cryoablation catheters.MethodsIn 6 pigs, 251 lesions were created on thigh muscle with parameter permutations to compare the acute impact of catheter type (electrode tip sizes 4, 6, and 8 mm), ablation time (2, 2 × 2, 3, 4, and 2 × 4 min), heat load (1 and 2 L/min), and tip orientation (perpendicular or parallel) on lesion dimensions (length, depth, and cross-sectional area) immediately post-ablation. As a sub-study to evaluate the importance of tissue contact during the cryoablation procedure, a 1-min freeze was performed without tissue contact until an ice ball formed, followed by an additional 2–3 min freeze.ResultsThe linear regression model revealed that catheter type (p < 0.0001) and the interaction between catheter orientation and catheter type (p = 0.027) were significantly associated with lesion cross-sectional area. Lesion length and depth, but not cross-sectional area, are significantly impacted by the catheter type (p < 0.0001; p = 0.003) and orientation (p < 0.0001; p < 0.0001), respectively. Compared to parallel catheter placement, lesions created with the perpendicular orientation were deeper using 4-mm (p = 0.136), 6-mm (p = 0.005), and 8-mm tip catheter (p = 0.004). Lesion creation with an ice ball significantly reduced lesion depth compared to lesions made without an ice ball (p < 0.05). In contrast, ablation time (p = 0.097) and heat load (p = 0.467) were not significantly associated with lesion size. Additionally, there was no statistical significant difference in lesion size between 2 × 2 and 4 min ablation times.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated that lesion size was significantly impacted by catheter type and catheter tip orientation and that maintaining tissue contact prior to applying cryoenergy is essential.