The effect of initial and dynamic liver conditions on RF ablation size: a study in perfused and non-perfused animal models

Abstract

Investigators reporting RF ablation (RFA) studies often use different initial and dynamic conditions, often in porcine or bovine liver models. This study examines the effects of initial temperature, prior freezing, and perfusion in these models. Understanding how these variables affect RFA size provides some basis for comparing data from different studies. We obtained porcine and bovine livers from a slaughterhouse and divided them into experimental groups each with discrete initial temperatures set in the range of 12 to 37°C. The livers were used either the day of harvest or frozen within 1-3 days prior to RFA treatment. A perfused liver model was developed to simulate human blood flow rates and allowed accurate control of the temperature and flow rate. Saline (0.9%) was substituted for blood. The non-perfused liver model group included bovine and porcine tissue; whereas the perfused liver model group included only porcine tissue. One experiment included porcine livers that were perfused at different flow rates and with different saline concentrations. Harvested tissue from this group was examined under a light microscope and the level of edema was assessed using image processing software. The results demonstrate no significant difference in RF lesion sizes between porcine and bovine livers. Freezing the tissue prior to treatment has no significant effect but the initial temperature does significantly affect the size of ablation. The ablation size in perfused liver is similar to in vivo results (earlier study) but is significantly smaller then non-perfused liver. Morphological analysis indicates that perfusion, freezing, and saline concentration cause significant tissue edema.