title: CT-Electromagnetic Three-Dimensional Tracking for Renal Endovascular Sympathetic Ablation Catheter Positioning in an Animal Model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the feasibility of a computed tomography (CT)-guided renal endoarterial ablation procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five large (40-60 kg) pigs were studied. Abdominal CT images that were obtained preoperatively were registered to the operative field, and subsequent virtual navigation of a multielectrode ablation catheter within the CT environment was performed. The ablation electrodes were visualized using an impedance technique. Ablation lesions were applied within each artery. Histologic analysis was performed to judge accuracy of the catheter location as portrayed in the virtual image.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The error between virtual and actual lesion locations along the longitudinal plane of the artery was 3.0 mm ± 2.5 (range, 0-6 mm) in the left renal artery and 3.4 mm ± 2.7 (range, 0-7 mm; P = .7) in the right renal artery. The accuracy of circumferential localization of the electrode was 92% in the right artery and 88% in the left artery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data demonstrate that a CT-guided renal artery ablation procedure is feasible.
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors: Daniel R
authors: DR
authors: Ludwig
authors: SYSU-CMU Joint Institute of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors: Prahlad G
authors: PG
authors: Menon
authors: Department of Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Electronic address: schwartzmand@upmc.edu.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Schwartzman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D057785:Catheters; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D008297:Male; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D013552:Swine; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed