Bipolar electrosurgery with long electrodes for RF coagulation of atrial tissue

We performed experiments on porcine atrial tissue fragments with a custom-built bipolar electrosurgical forceps fitted with long electrodes (20 mm) in order to create long and transmural lesions. Results show that impedance monitoring during heating and visual supervision of the lesion zone, are optimum parameters to control lesion evolution and avoid overheating in the tissue. Transmural lesions without charring were created with 15 watts of power during 10-15 seconds on initial impedances between 50-90 ohm.