title: Feasibility of electroporation for the creation of pulmonary vein ostial lesions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is an obvious need for a better energy source for pulmonary vein (PV) antrum isolation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the feasibility and safety of electroporation for the creation of PV ostial lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  After transseptal puncture, a custom 7F decapolar 20 mm circular ablation catheter was placed in the PV ostia of 10 pigs. Ablation was performed with a nonarcing, 200 J application delivered between the catheter and an indifferent patch electrode on the lower back. A single pulse was applied for each catheter position, with a maximum of 4 per ostium. Local PV electrogram amplitude and stimulation threshold were measured at multiple locations in both ostia before and directly after ablation, and after 3 weeks survival, using a regular 4 mm mapping catheter. All PV ostia were sectioned, stained, and histologically investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 3-week survival period was uneventful. PV ostial electrogram amplitude decreased and stimulation threshold increased significantly in most ostia. PV angiograms did not show any stenosis during this short follow-up. Histologically, up to 3.5-mm-deep lesions were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data suggest that electroporation can safely be used to create lesions in a sensitive environment like PV ostia.
authors.affiliation: Division of Heart and Lungs, Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. fredwittkampf@gmail.com
authors.forename: Fred H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Wittkampf
authors.forename: Vincent J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: van Driel
authors.forename: Harry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van Wessel
authors.forename: Aryan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vink
authors.forename: Irene E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Hof
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Gründeman
authors.forename: Richard N W
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Hauer
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Loh
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D057785:Catheters; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D018274:Electroporation / Q000295:instrumentation; D004867:Equipment Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors