Another Tool for the Ablation Toolbox

摘要

Since the early days of transcatheter ablation procedures, various energy sources have been investigated, including direct current, microwave, ultrasound, radiofrequency, and cryothermal energy. Each alternative energy source has its associated benefits as well as complication risks. Radiofrequency energy became the standard for ablation in the early 1990s and its continued use and extensive operator experience with the technology has made radiofrequency the gold standard by which all other energies are compared.Cryothermal energy has more recently become available for transcatheter procedures, although it has been utilized for some time in surgical techniques in the operating room. The first works on transcatheter cryoablation procedures in animal models were published in 1998, and were soon followed by experience in adult patients, and then followed by experience in pediatric populations#