Successful radiofrequency ablation of the cerebral cortex in pigs using the venous system: possible implications for treating CNS disorders.
BACKGROUND
When pharmacotherapy for epilepsy fails, surgical options, although efficacious, are highly invasive. We explored whether ablation of the cerebral cortex can be performed utilizing the cerebral venous system.


METHODS
Mapping and radiofrequency ablation was performed via the venous system in two pigs.


RESULTS
Eight targeted sites were successfully accessed and four targeted sites successfully ablated via the central cerebral venous network.


CONCLUSIONS
Electrophysiological mapping and radiofrequency ablation of the cerebral cortex can be performed via the cerebral veins.
Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Benhur D
BD
Henz
Paul A
PA
Friedman
Charles J
CJ
Bruce
David R
DR
Holmes
Yasuo
Y
Okumura
Susan B
SB
Johnson
Douglas L
DL
Packer
Samuel J
SJ
Asirvatham
D000818:Animals; D001931:Brain Mapping; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000601:surgery*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D013552:Swine