5 Discussion
This study revealed that slit-based irrigation catheters can be effective in preventing procedure-related ischemic complication. Non-irrigation catheters showed highest risk for procedure-related ischemic complication and peri-procedural anticoagulation did not influence the risk for procedure-related ischemic complication. This data is the largest study to date analyzing safety issue of different irrigation systems and the first report demonstrating that irrigation systems can affect actual clinical stroke and TIA.