Ablation time efficiency and lesion volume - in vitro comparison of 4 mm, non irrigated, gold- and platinum-iridium-tip radiofrequency ablation catheters.

Purpose: We investigated the development of in vitro lesion formation in relation to ablation time and power delivery using 4-mm, non-irrigated, platinum-iridium (Pt/Ir), and gold-tip catheters.

Methods: Radiofrequency catheter ablation was performed on porcine liver preparations in a 5-60-s time range with 5 s increments applied at different lesion sites. Each series was repeated four times for both catheters.