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Validation of the accuracy of contact force measurement by contemporary force-sensing ablation catheters
  • +7
  • Thomas Küffer,
  • Andreas Haeberlin,
  • Sven Knecht,
  • Samuel Baldinger,
  • Antonio Madaffari,
  • Jens Seiler,
  • Aline Mühl,
  • Hildegard Tanner,
  • Laurent Roten,
  • Tobias Reichlin
Thomas Küffer
Inselspital Universitatsspital Bern Universitatsklinik fur Kardiologie

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Andreas Haeberlin
Inselspital Universitatsspital Bern Universitatsklinik fur Kardiologie
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Sven Knecht
Department of Cardiology University Hospital Basel Basel Switzerland
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Samuel Baldinger
Inselspital Universitatsspital Bern Universitatsklinik fur Kardiologie
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Antonio Madaffari
Inselspital Universitatsspital Bern Universitatsklinik fur Kardiologie
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Jens Seiler
Inselspital Universitatsspital Bern Universitatsklinik fur Kardiologie
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Aline Mühl
Inselspital Universitatsspital Bern Universitatsklinik fur Kardiologie
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Hildegard Tanner
Inselspital Universitatsspital Bern Universitatsklinik fur Kardiologie
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Laurent Roten
Inselspital Universitatsspital Bern Universitatsklinik fur Kardiologie
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Tobias Reichlin
Inselspital Universitatsspital Bern Universitatsklinik fur Kardiologie
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Abstract

Introduction: Contact force-sensing catheters are widely used for ablation of cardiac arrhythmias. They allow quantification of catheter-to-tissue contact, which is an important determinant for lesion formation and may reduce the risk of complications. The accuracy of these sensors may vary across the measurement range, catheter-to-tissue angle, and amongst manufacturers and we aim to compare the accuracy and reproducibility of four different force sensing ablation catheters. Methods: A measurement setup containing a heated saline water bath with an integrated force measurement unit was constructed and validated. Subsequently, we investigated four different catheter models, each equipped with a unique measurement technology: Tacticath Quartz (Abbott), AcQBlate Force (Biotronik/Acutus), Stablepoint (Boston Scientific), and Smarttouch SF (Biosense Webster). For each model, the accuracy of three different catheters was measured within the range of 0-60 grams and at contact angles of 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°. Results: In total, 6685 measurements were performed using 4x3 catheters (median of 568, IQR 511-606 measurements per catheter). Over the entire measurement-range, the force measured by the catheters deviated from the real force by the following absolute mean values: Tacticath 1.29g ±0.99g, AcQBlate Force 2.87g ±2.37g, Stablepoint 1.38g ±1.29g, and Smarttouch 2.26g ±2.70g. For some models, significant under- and overestimation of >10g were observed at higher forces. Mean absolute errors of all models across the range of 10-40g were <3g. Conclusion: Contact measured by force-sensing catheters is accurate with 1-3g deviation within the range of 10g to 40g. Significant errors can occur at higher forces with potential clinical consequences.
27 Aug 2022Submitted to Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
27 Aug 2022Submission Checks Completed
27 Aug 2022Assigned to Editor
01 Sep 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
08 Sep 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
12 Sep 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
23 Sep 20221st Revision Received
26 Sep 2022Submission Checks Completed
26 Sep 2022Assigned to Editor
26 Sep 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
12 Oct 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
18 Oct 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
01 Nov 20222nd Revision Received
01 Nov 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Nov 2022Submission Checks Completed
01 Nov 2022Assigned to Editor
01 Nov 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
14 Nov 2022Editorial Decision: Accept
Feb 2023Published in Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology volume 34 issue 2 on pages 292-299. 10.1111/jce.15770