In vivo analysis of the origin and characteristics of gaseous microemboli during catheter-mediated irreversible electroporation

Marijn H A Groen, René van Es, Bas R van Klarenbosch, Marco Stehouwer, Peter Loh, Pieter Doevendans, Fred H Wittkampf, Kars Neven

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Abstract

Aims: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) ablation is a non-thermal ablation method based on the application of direct current between a multi-electrode catheter and skin electrode. The delivery of current through blood leads to electrolysis. Some studies suggest that gaseous (micro)emboli might be associated with myocardial damage and/or (a)symptomatic cerebral ischaemic events. The aim of this study was to compare the amount of gas generated during IRE ablation and during radiofrequency (RF) ablation. Methods and results: In six 60-75 kg pigs, an extracorporeal femoral shunt was outfitted with a bubble-counter to detect the size and total volume of gas bubbles. Anodal and cathodal 200 J IRE applications were delivered in the left atrium (LA) using a 14-electrode circular catheter. The 30 and 60 s 40 W RF point-by-point ablations were performed. Using transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE), gas formation was visualized. Average gas volumes were 0.6 ± 0.6 and 56.9 ± 19.1 μL (P < 0.01) for each anodal and cathodal IRE application, respectively. Also, qualitative TOE imaging showed significantly less LA bubble contrast with anodal than with cathodal applications. Radiofrequency ablations produced 1.7 ± 2.9 and 6.7 ± 7.4 μL of gas, for 30 and 60 s ablation time, respectively. Conclusion: Anodal IRE applications result in significantly less gas formation than both cathodal IRE applications and RF applications. This finding is supported by TOE observations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)139-146
Number of pages8
JournalEuropace : European pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac electrophysiology : journal of the working groups on cardiac pacing, arrhythmias, and cardiac cellular electrophysiology of the European Society of Cardiology
Volume23
Issue number1
Early online date28 Oct 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2021

Keywords

  • Catheter ablation
  • Embolic stroke
  • Gaseous microemboli
  • Irreversible electroporation
  • Myocardial damage

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