Catheter-mediated electrical ablation: the relation between current and pulse width on voltage breakdown and shock-wave generation.
Barotrauma from arc induced shock waves may result in dangerous sequelae during ablation of arrhythmogenic foci. In this report, maximum pulse amplitude and pulse width determinations were made to assess avoidance of shock-wave generation using rectangular constant current pulses. Energy delivery appears to be optimal between 80-100 microseconds. If higher energies are required, multiple pulses will be needed to avoid barotrauma.
D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000601:surgery*; D001469:Barotrauma / Q000209:etiology; D001769:Blood; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects; D002417:Cattle; D004582:Electronics, Medical; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques