Study limitations
Our study has several limitations. First, the CF cannot be directly
measured with the INTELLANAV MiFi⢠OI. Although the CF was measured with
a digital scale with a calibrated force-current transducer (load cell),
the actual CF might be different. Second, we evaluated the relationship
between the LI drop, LI rise, and lesion size at different catheter
angles under constant power and time; therefore, different settings were
not evaluated. In addition, there was no steam pop during this study, so
the predictive LI value for safety concerns could not be evaluated.
Finally, since this experiment was performed in porcine myocardial
tissues, the results may not be directly translated into clinical
practice. RF lesion size in a clinical setting might be affected by
multiple factors, such as stability, respiratory motion, or blood flow,
not only catheter orientation. Therefore, clinical studies are necessary
to assess lesion creation in a more clinically relevant setting.