Biotronik has reported efficacy results from GOLDEN TIME study of its AlCath Gold ablation catheter.
The study, conducted at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics in partnership with Erasmus Medical Center, was designed to compare the ablation time efficiency of gold catheter with 4-mm, nonirrigated, platinum-iridium catheter.
The study found that gold-tip catheter can create lesions with in 40 seconds (i.e 33% faster than conventional catheter) and demonstrated no difference in tip temperature due to the temperature-controlled settings, while a considerable difference was observed in the mean power delivery.
The company said the difference is observed in the power delivery, as the gold alloy possesses a thermal conductivity that is four times higher than the platinum-iridium used in conventional catheters.
Erasmus Medical Center spokesperson Tamas Szili-Torok said the center programs temperature limits of 40-55°C for 4-mm tip catheters without gold.
"As soon as the tip temperature reaches the programmed maximum, the generator automatically decreases the power delivery," Szili-Torok added.
"Gold-tip catheters, however, result in an increased energy transfer into the tissue, so the tip temperature is lower even though energy delivery is higher.
"This ultimately leads to reduced procedure times, helping the physician conduct ablations more efficiently."
Biotronik president Christoph Bohmer said the company's gold ablation catheter also reduces coagulation, resulting in reduced catheter exchange rates during the procedure.
