title: Experimental animal study of a novel radiofrequency endovascular occlusion device.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to present a radiofrequency (RF) endovascular occlusion device (ie, Habib VesCoag Catheter; EMcision Ltd, London, UK) and to evaluate safety and efficacy of the device for complete occlusion of normal porcine vessels.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 20 pigs. In each pig, a segmental branch of the right hepatic artery, a branch of the splenic artery, and a branch of one of the renal arteries were catheterized. A single or multiple applications of RF energy were performed until vessel occlusion was achieved. Fifteen days later, angiography was repeated to assess vessel patency. The vessels were then excised for pathological analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vessels 2.5 to 6 mm in diameter were treated. Complete occlusion with a single attempt was achieved using a mean amount of energy of 110.67 J in vessels 2.5 to 3 mm, 111.67 J in vessels 3.5 to 4 mm, and 116.63 J in vessels 5 to 6 mm in diameter and was confirmed by angiography at the 15-day follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vascular occlusion can be effectively and safely achieved by endovascular application of RF energy to normal porcine arteries using the Habib VesCoag catheter.
authors: Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Larissa, Mezourlo, Greece. zachadim@yahoo.com
authors: Dimitris
authors: D
authors: Zacharoulis
authors: Olga
authors: O
authors: Lazoura
authors: Christos
authors: C
authors: Rountas
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Katsimboulas
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Mantzianas
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Tzovaras
authors: Nagy
authors: N
authors: Habib
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography; D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013552:Swine; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology; D014654:Vascular Patency