title: Transvenous ablation of the atrioventricular conduction system by laser irradiation under endoscopic control.
abstract: We report ten successful experiments of transvenous destruction of the His bundle by laser radiation. An endoscope coupled with a special laser catheter was introduced through the jugular vein into the right atrium of dogs. The tip of the laser catheter was positioned in front of A-V conduction system under visual control using anatomic landmarks. Injection of saline solution coaxial with the laser power-transmitting fiber was performed before and during laser coagulation. Twenty watts constant wave Nd-YAG laser operating at 1.06 micron was enough to produce complete A-V block in approximately 15 sec. The safety of the proposed technique is especially discussed.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002036:Bundle of His / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004562:Electrocardiography; D019723:Endoscopes; D006327:Heart Block / Q000473:pathology; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000601:surgery*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000601:surgery*