High-frequency irreversible electroporation for cardiac ablation using an asymmetrical waveform
René van Es, Maurits K Konings, Bastiaan C Du Pré, Kars Neven, Harry van Wessel, Vincent J H M van Driel, Albert H Westra, Pieter A F Doevendans, Fred H M Wittkampf, René van Es, Maurits K Konings, Bastiaan C Du Pré, Kars Neven, Harry van Wessel, Vincent J H M van Driel, Albert H Westra, Pieter A F Doevendans, Fred H M Wittkampf
Abstract
Background: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) using direct current (DC) is an effective method for the ablation of cardiac tissue. A major drawback of the use of DC-IRE, however, are two problems: requirement of general anesthesia due to severe muscle contractions and the formation of bubbles containing gaseous products from electrolysis. The use of high-frequency alternating current (HF-IRE) is expected to solve both problems, because HF-IRE produces little to no muscle spasms and does not cause electrolysis.
Methods: In the present study, we introduce a novel asymmetric, high-frequency (aHF) waveform for HF-IRE and present the results of a first, small, animal study to test its efficacy.
Results: The data of the experiments suggest that the aHF waveform creates significantly deeper lesions than a symmetric HF waveform of the same energy and frequency (p = 0.003).
Conclusion: We therefore conclude that the use of the aHF enhances the feasibility of the HF-IRE method.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Part of this research has been funded by Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Illinois, USA. A patent concerning the asymmetric waveform has been filed (ownership: Abbott, Illinois, USA. Inventor: Maurits K Konings).
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References
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Source: PubMed