Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of epicardially delivered laser energy to ablate induced ventricular tachycardia in a post-infarction canine model. In 13 canines, the left anterior wall myocardial infarction was created. Five days later, 240 plunged electrodes were inserted into the heart. Three-dimensional ventricular activation sequences were analyzed on line by a computerized mapping system. Sixteen sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardias were reproducibly induced in 10 canines. Epicardially contacted Nd:YAG laser irradiated the areas of the final pathway in macro-reentrant activation and the impulse origin in focal excitation. Linear photocoagulation lesions (11-16 x 50-72 mm) were created. Seven macro-reentrant circuits and six of nine focal origins were eliminated (success rate 81%). Pathology showed that laser photocoagulation involved all surviving subepicardial and intramural fibers. Epicardially delivered laser energy in conjunction with electrical activation mapping has a high probability of ablating post-infarction ventricular tachycardia.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
