Fehmi Keçe

Chapter 3 82 3.3.4 Transcranial Doppler Median number and concentration of MES during the total procedure were higher with the PVAC-Gold compared to Thermocool catheter (respectively 1111 [IQR 715-2234] vs. 787 [IQR 532-1053], p<0.001 and 8 [IQR 5-17] MES/min vs. 4 [IQR 3-5] MES/min, p<0.001) (Figure 3). Figure 4 shows an example of procedural MES detection. In the pre-ablation phase, median number but not median concentration of MES was higher in the Thermocool group. In contrast, in the ablation phase, median MES number and concentration were significantly higher in the PVAC-Gold group (respectively 819 [IQR 509-1608] vs. 354 [IQR 181-593], p<0.001 and 13 [IQR 7-24] MES/min vs. 3 [IQR 2-5] MES/min, p<0.001). Figure 3. Number and concentration of micro-embolic signals. Number (A) and concentration (B) of MES for the Pulmonary Vein Ablation Catheter-Gold (PVAC- Gold) catheter and Thermocool catheter for the entire procedure and per ablation phase. Median and interquartile range are displayed. MES: micrembolic signal; TC: Thermocool.