Lesion Coalescence
The joining of adjacent ablation lesions to create continuous lines of tissue injury and electrical block.
Full Definition
The process by which individual ablation lesions merge to form continuous, transmural lines of tissue damage that create effective electrical barriers. Lesion coalescence is critical for successful linear ablation strategies, particularly in atrial fibrillation ablation where continuous lesion sets are required to isolate pulmonary veins or create substrate modification lines. Achieving proper coalescence requires careful attention to lesion spacing, adequate power delivery, and sufficient contact force. Gaps in coalescence can lead to conduction recovery and arrhythmia recurrence, making this a key quality metric for ablation procedures.
In Context
- "Real-time impedance monitoring helped ensure adequate lesion coalescence during the roof line creation." — AF ablation procedure report
- "Post-procedural mapping revealed complete lesion coalescence with bidirectional block across the mitral isthmus." — Follow-up study report