Mechanism of tissue heating during high intensity focused ultrasound pulmonary vein isolation: implications for atrial fibrillation ablation efficacy and phrenic nerve protection.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to examine tissue temperatures around pulmonary veins (PVs) during high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) balloon ablation for atrial fibrillation. The thermodynamics and extent of PV and phrenic nerve (PN) heating during HIFU ablation have not been established.


RESULTS
Tissue temperatures were recorded from epicardial thermocouples at right superior (RS) PV orifice and PN in eight dogs undergoing 51 RSPV HIFU ablations (40 seconds, 40 W). Maximum tissue temperatures, reflected by 288 recording profiles, were negatively correlated with distance from balloon surface (r =-0.79, P < 0.001). Average maximum RSPV temperature was 56.8 +/- 16.8 degrees C (distance: 6.6 +/- 4.1 mm), resulting in full-thickness, circumferential PV isolation in 7 of 8 animals. Direct local mechanical heating restricted to the focused ultrasound zone showed temperature rise to > or =50 degrees C within 10 seconds to a maximum temperature of 82.6 +/- 8.9 degrees C (n = 31). Apparent conductive heating showed gradual heating patterns (<50 degrees C within 10 seconds) at greater distance. PN temperature at all recording sites was 45.0 +/- 11.3 degrees C (distance: 9.2 +/- 5.0 mm). Intentional PN injury (10 of 51 [19.6%] ablations), occurred at 63.7 +/- 16.0 degrees C with closest distance of 4.4 +/- 2.5 mm, which was closer than in PNs without injury (7.3 +/- 4.3 mm, P = 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
HIFU ablation is highly effective in generating temperatures needed for full-thickness, circumferential ablation through rapid direct mechanical heating. Gradual heating of surrounding tissue supports the presence of conductive heating. This study also discloses direct HIFU effects as the mechanism of PN injury occurring within 4-7 mm from balloon surface.
Okumura
Yasuo
Y
Translational Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratory, Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55902, USA.
Kolasa
Mark W
MW
Johnson
Susan B
SB
Bunch
T Jared
TJ
Henz
Benhur D
BD
O'Brien
Christine J
CJ
Miller
Dylan V
DV
Packer
Douglas L
DL
D000818:Animals; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002056:Burns / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004285:Dogs; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*