Release of endothelin-1 from human endocardium after radiofrequency catheter ablation and coronary angioplasty: comparative results

Endocardial thermal injury incurred during RFA is another mechanism of endothelin increase apart from mechanical injury of the coronary endothelium during PTCA and represents further evidence for the existence of the peptide in human endocardial endothelial and myocardial cells. ET-1 increase is delayed and more pronounced post-RFA compared to post-PTCA. Despite that, it does not seem to have any clinical impact in the immediate post-RFA period.