title: Beating-heart epicardial radiofrequency ablation: optimal temperature setting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pulmonary vein isolation is a simple procedure, which has recently been reported as an effective treatment for the termination of atrial fibrillation. Although there are several clinical reports of beating-heart epicardial ablation, the optimal temperature has not been experimentally investigated. We evaluated the effective temperature for the placement of circular lesions around the pulmonary vein-left atrial junction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve swine underwent epicardial ablation to create linear conduction block lesions around the pulmonary vein-left atrial junction by a seven-electrode ablation catheter. The ablation was performed at 60 degrees C (group I), 70 degrees C (group II), 80 degrees C (group III), and 90 degrees C (group IV) for 120 seconds. The creation of a firm conduction block across the ablated lesion under pacing was compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete conduction block was observed in all groups except group I. However, heat injury to adjacent structures in group IV and transient discoloration of the tissue surrounding coronary arteries in groups III and IV were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effective temperature for epicardial radiofrequency pulmonary vein isolation was 120 minutes and above 70 degrees C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital, Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan. yosito_inoue@saimiya.com
authors.forename: Yoshito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Issei
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kiso
authors.forename: Ryuichi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Takahashi
authors.forename: Atsuo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.forename: Kenta
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Motogami
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000601:surgery*; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000601:surgery*; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013696:Temperature