CPC A61B 90/04 (2016.02) [A61B 18/1492 (2013.01); A61B 34/20 (2016.02); A61B 2018/00023 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0022 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00351 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00488 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00577 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00714 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00744 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00791 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00982 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0212 (2013.01); A61B 2034/2051 (2016.02); A61B 2034/2063 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0418 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0463 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0481 (2016.02); A61B 2090/065 (2016.02)] | 15 Claims |
1. A method for achieving a durable atrial lesion and preventing or reducing the risk of thermal injury to esophageal tissue in a patient undergoing a cardiac tissue ablation procedure, the method comprising:
orally or nasally inserting an esophageal heat transfer device into the patient, wherein the heat transfer device includes a heat transfer region and one or more lumens configured to provide a heat transfer fluid to the heat transfer region and to remove the heat transfer fluid from the heat transfer region;
positioning the heat transfer region in thermal contact with esophageal tissue susceptible to damage during the cardiac tissue ablation procedure;
selecting a temperature setting for the heat transfer fluid, wherein the temperature setting is from about 0° C. to about 10° C.;
circulating the heat transfer fluid through the one or more lumens at the selected temperature setting to maintain a target temperature of the esophageal tissue susceptible to damage; and
performing the cardiac tissue ablation procedure;
wherein the method achieves a durable atrial lesion while simultaneously protecting esophageal tissue during the cardiac tissue ablation procedure.
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