Intermediate
Technical
IVT
Contact Force Technology
Catheter-based system that provides real-time feedback on the pressure applied between catheter tip and tissue.
Full Definition
An advanced catheter technology that incorporates sensors to measure and display the force applied between the catheter tip and cardiac tissue during ablation procedures. This technology provides real-time force feedback measured in grams, allowing operators to optimize tissue contact for effective lesion formation while avoiding excessive pressure that could cause complications. Contact force technology has significantly improved ablation outcomes by ensuring adequate catheter stability and tissue contact, particularly important for procedures requiring transmural lesions such as atrial fibrillation ablation.
In Context
- "The contact force technology indicated optimal tissue contact at 15-20 grams during pulmonary vein isolation." — Ablation procedure note
- "Adoption of contact force technology has reduced fluoroscopy times and improved procedural success rates." — Clinical outcomes study
Also known as
force-sensing technology
contact force sensing
Don't confuse with
contact mapping
force mapping