Open Access

Introduction: Despite lots of developments in the last years, radiofrequency ablation of rhythm diseases is a safe but still complex procedure that requires special experience and expertise of the physicians and biomedical engineers. Thus, there is a need of special trainings to become familiar with the different equipment and to explain several effects that can be observed during clinical routine. Methods: The Offenburg University of Applied Sciences offers a biomedical engineering study path specialized in the fields of cardiology, electrophysiology and cardiac electronic implants. It`s Peter Osypka Institute for Pacing and Ablation provides teaching following the slogan “Learning by watching, touching and adjusting”. It conducts lots of trainings for students as well as young physicians interested in electrophysiology and radiofrequency ablation. Results: In-vitro trainings will be provided using the Osypka HAT 200 and HAT300s, Stockert EPshuttle and SmartAblate system as well as the Boston EPT-1000XP and Maestro 3000 and the Radionics RFG-3E cardiac radio frequency ablation generators. All of them require different handling as well as special accessories like catheter connection cables or boxes and back plates. The participants will be trained in the setup of temperature, power and cut-off impedance dependent on different ablation catheters. Furthermore troubleshooting in hard- and software is part of the program. Performing procedures in pork or animal protein and using physiological saline solution to simulate the blood flow, they can study the influence of contact force and impedance on lesion geometry etc. and to avoid adverse effects like “plops”. Lots of catheter types are available: 4mm tip, 8mm standard and gold tip, open and closed irrigated tip ablation catheters of different companies. The experiments will be completed by measuring the lesion size dependent on the used catheter type and ablation settings. Conclusion: In-vitro training in radiofrequency ablation is a challenge for biomedical engineering students and young physicians.