Pathological aspects of radiofrequency catheter ablation of the canine atrioventricular node and bundle of His. With special reference to chronic incomplete atrioventricular block.
Radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrioventricular (AV) node or bundle of His was performed in 12 adult mongrel dogs. The aim was to create chronic incomplete AV block (first- and second-degree AV block) and to examine the histopathology of the ablated lesions. However, the late electrophysiological results (2-4 weeks follow-up) were various: normal in 2 dogs, mild PR prolongation (less than 50%) in 2 dogs, first-degree AV block (PR prolongation greater than or equal to 50%) in 2 dogs, second-degree AV block in 2 dogs, complete AV block in 4 dogs. The maximally ablated area (%) of the atrioventricular conduction system in serial histologic sections from dogs with these conditions was 69%, 75%, 89.5%, 95% and 99.5%, respectively. The number of intact conduction cells at the maximally ablated site varied from 6 to 30 in the four cases of incomplete AV block. The mean ablated volume (%) of either the AV node or penetrating His bundle correlated roughly with the degree of AV block. The ablated lesions were well demarcated and almost replaced by dense fibrous tissue at 4 weeks. Interruption (3 dogs) or thinning (1 dog) of the endocardial elastic lamellae was detected, in association with endocardial thickening (mean 913 microns). Endocardial thrombi were found in 3 dogs (2 fresh, 1 organized). We conclude that radiofrequency catheter ablation does not cause severe complicated lesions. Several possible conditions for creating chronic incomplete AV block are discussed.
Tanaka
M
M
Department of Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Hiroo General Hospital, Japan.
Satake
S
S
Kawahara
Y
Y
Sugiura
M
M
Hirao
K
K
Tanaka
K
K
Kawara
T
T
Masuda
A
A
Nishikawa
T
T
Kasajima
T
T
D000818:Animals; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000473:pathology*; D002036:Bundle of His / Q000473:pathology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004285:Dogs; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006327:Heart Block / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011846:Radio Waves