Abstract: A method for ablating a patient, consisting of ascertaining a CHA2DS2-VASc score for the patient and inserting a probe into the patient, so as to contact a pulmonary vein of the patient. The method further includes applying energy via the probe so as to ablate the pulmonary vein until pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is achieved. When PVI is achieved and the CHA2DS2-VASc score is less than a preset value, ablation of the pulmonary vein is ceased. When PVI is achieved and the CHA2DS2-VASc score is greater than or equal to the preset value, energy is applied to perform a further ablation.

Abstract: A method that includes selectively positioning an ablation catheter system at a treatment site; and ablating tissue at the treatment site with the ablation catheter system using a power setting of approximately 90W applied to tissue for approximately four (4) second increments with a break period of approximately 4 seconds between applications.

Abstract: A method that includes selectively positioning an ablation catheter system at a treatment site; and ablating tissue at the treatment site with the ablation catheter system using a power setting of approximately 90 W applied to tissue for approximately four (4) second increments with a break period of approximately 4 seconds between applications.

Abstract: A method for ablating a patient, consisting of ascertaining a CHA2DS2-VASc score for the patient and inserting a probe into the patient, so as to contact a pulmonary vein of the patient. The method further includes applying energy via the probe so as to ablate the pulmonary vein until pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is achieved. When PVI is achieved and the CHA2DS2-VASc score is less than a preset value, ablation of the pulmonary vein is ceased. When PVI is achieved and the CHA2DS2-VASc score is greater than or equal to the preset value, energy is applied to perform a further ablation.

Abstract: A method that includes selectively positioning an ablation catheter system at a treatment site; and ablating tissue at the treatment site with the ablation catheter system using a power setting of approximately 90W applied to tissue for approximately four (4) second increments with a break period of approximately 4 seconds between applications.

Abstract: An ablation catheter system for drug refractory symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). The system can include an elongated body; an electrode assembly comprising a shell configured with an inner chamber and a wall defining a proximal portion and a distal portion, the wall of the distal portion having at least one aperture; and a micro-element extending through the inner chamber between the proximal portion and the distal portion, the micro-element having a distal end received in the at least one aperture, the distal end being at least coextensive with an outer surface of the wall. The system is configured to achieve acute procedural PVI success for all patients of a predetermined patient population suffering from PAF.