Biotronik’s GOLDEN TIME study has demonstrated that its AlCath Gold ablation catheter creates lesions 33% faster and delivers greater energy with a lower tip temperature.
The study, conducted at the Budapest University of Technology and Economics in partnership with Erasmus Medical Centre, was designed to compare the ablation time efficiency of the gold catheter with a 4-mm, nonirrigated, platinum-iridium catheter.
The study found that the gold-tip catheter can create lesions within 40 seconds, while standard catheter takes 60 seconds, without compromising patient safety.
The results also demonstrated no difference in tip temperature due to the temperature-controlled settings, but a considerable difference was observed in the mean power delivery.
Because the gold alloy possesses thermal conductivity that is four times higher than the platinum-iridium used in conventional catheters, it allows greater energy delivery with a lower tip temperature, according to the company.
Erasmus Medical Centre spokesperson Dr Tamás Szili-Török said the centre normally programmes temperature limits of 40°C-55°C for platinum tip catheters without gold.
"As soon as the tip temperature reaches the programmed maximum, the generator automatically decreases the power delivery," Szili-Torok said.
"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 Böhmer said the company’s gold ablation catheter also reduces coagulation, resulting in reduced catheter exchange rates during the procedure.
Image: AlCath Gold ablation catheter creates lesions faster and delivers greater energy with a lower tip temperature. Photo: Courtesy of Market Wire.
