Support adapter for radiofrequency ablation probe: experimental study

Background: The purpose of the present study was to experimentally evaluate a new support adapter, which was created in order to insure a more complete contact between the ablation probe and a beating heart. Methods: Support sleeve adapters for the Cobra Cooled probe were fashioned using a semi‐rigid plastic. Forty epicardial radiofrequency ablation (RFA) lesions were created on both atria under the condition of a beating heart in six pigs weighing 26−30 kg. A Cobra Cooled surgical probe was used with continuous internal irrigation of a saline solution (500 mL/h). The ablation temperature was fixed at 80°C and the duration of the RFA in each case was 20, 30 and 60 s. Results: A support adapter ensured a more complete epicardial contact between the probe and a beating heart. An RFA probe supported by the adapter delivered greater power to the tissue. The histopathological transmural coagulation was obtained in 82% and 72% in RFA lesions with and without the adaptor, respectively. Conclusion: A new adapter was effective in the epicardial RFA under the condition of a beating heart.