High Temporal Resolution Monitoring of Contact Between Catheter Tip and Target Tissue During a Real-Time-MRI-Guided Ablation Using a 2D RF Navigator

Ashvin K. George¹, Eugene G. Kholmovski¹, Nassir F. Marrouche¹

We introduce a novel method to monitor the contact made between the catheter tip and the target tissue during real-time MRI guided radiofrequency ablation. It is necessary to ensure that sufficient tip-tissue contact is made, in order to (a) effectively deliver RF energy and (b) evaluate the quality of the ablation from the post-ablation electrogram. Our method uses a pencil beam navigator positioned through the tip of the catheter (that is tracked in real-time) and perpendicular to the heart wall (whose approximate location is known from a pre-acquired 3D angiography image). We present in vivo results.