The effect of different power radiofrequency ablations in treatment and postoperative pain in patients with atrial fibrillation: a retrospective study

Abstract Background There has been no consensus on what power of radiofrequency energy can be used to produce the best surgical results in patients with atrial fibrillation. In addition, patients undergoing local anesthesia and fentanyl analgesia may experience pain when radiofrequency ablation is performed. This study investigated the effect of different power radiofrequency ablations in treatment and postoperative pain in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods A retrospective study was performed with 60 patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation between January and June 2023. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the power of the radiofrequency ablation catheter used, with 30 patients in the conventional power group (35W) and 30 patients in the high-power group (50W). The cardiac electrophysiological indexes and postoperative pain of the 2 groups were compared. Results Most of the surgical effect indicators between the 2 groups had no significant differences. However, the total discharge time during radiofrequency ablation and pulmonary vein isolation time in the high-power group were significantly shorter than those in the conventional power group (p < 0.001). Patients in the high-power group reported significantly less pain than those in the conventional power group in the immediate postoperative period and the late postoperative period (p < 0.001). Conclusions High-power radiofrequency ablation showed a shorter treatment time, and could reduce postoperative pain compared to conventional power ablation.