Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation ablation: Achieving permanent pulmonary vein isolation by point-by-point radiofrequency lesions

Table 1 Clinical studies on contact force monitoring and mid/long-term outcomes

Study	n	Type of study	CF catheter	Control catheter	Follow-up (mo)	Findings
Andrade et al[55], 2014	75	Prospective observational	Thermocool SmarTouch	Navistar Thermocool	13.3	CF reduced dormant conduction (16% vs 52%) and improved long-term arrhythmia-free survival (88% vs 66%)
Kimura et al[31], 2014	38	Randomized controlled trial	Thermocool SmarTouch	Thermocool SmarTouch (blinded operador)	6	CF reduced procedure time and additional touch-up ablation
Marijon et al[61], 2014	60	Prospective observational	Thermocool SmarTouch	EZ Steer Thermocool	12	CF reduced AF recurrence at 12 mo (10.5% vs 35.9%)
Shurrab et al[33], 2015	42	Observational	Thermocool SmarTouch	Navistar Thermocool	2.5	CF reduced reconnection rate at 30 min postablation
TOCCASTAR, 2015	300	Randomized controlled trial	Tacticath	Thermocool Navistar	12	No differences in arrhythmia-free survival
Pedrote et al[24], 2016	50	Randomized controlled trial	Thermocool SmarTouch	Thermocool SmarTouch (blinded operador)	12	CF reduced PV gaps (20% vs 68%). No benefits in arrhythmia-free survival
Ullah et al[34], 2016	117	Randomized controlled trial	Thermocool SmarTouch	Thermocool SmarTouch (blinded operador)	12	CF reduced acute reconnections (22% vs 32%). No benefits in arrhythmia-free survival

CF: Contact force.