Fehmi Keçe

Chapter 4 110 4.2 Methods This analysis included 945 PVAC-Gold radiofrequency applications in 32 patients (age 58±9 years, 23 men). The biophysical parameters of each application that could be extracted from the generator for off-line analysis included average power (Watt), average and maximum temperature (°C), temperature 2 seconds after ablation onset (indicative for the speed of temperature rise), average and total effective contact time (seconds), average and total effective energy (J), average impedance (Ω), electrode proximity (1-9) and interaction (1-8, 2-9), and temperature overshoot (>75˚C). MES were recorded from the onset of the application until 20 seconds after termination. To explore the association between individual biophysical parameters and log-transformed MES counts, single predictor linear mixed model analysis was used with patient and ablation site as random effects. Significant predictor variables were candidates to construct the final optimal multivariable model based on the AIC. Fixed-effects predicted values of this model were calculated for graphic representation.