Direct and indirect catheter-to-catheter carbonization caused by high power radiofrequency delivery via a large tip ablation electrode

We report two cases of directly and indirectly induced catheter carbonizations by radiofrequency application via a large tip ablation catheter. We assume that during a large tip high power delivery of more than 50 watts, an adjacent, smaller-sized, low resistance electrode produces a local increase in the intensity of the current field that is sufficient to elevate the tissue temperature above 100 degrees C. Due to the potential risk of embolism, this may have an impact on ablation procedures in the left atrium and ventricle using similar mapping configurations.