Long-term effects of percutaneous laser balloon ablation from the canine coronary sinus

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of left-sided accessory pathways is becoming the first line of therapy for patients with symptomatic Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Nevertheless, alternative ablation techniques merit development, at least as supplementary modalities for cases in which conventional ablation approaches may prove unsuccessful. We recently reported the short-term results with transcatheter laser balloon ablation from the coronary sinus in a canine model, proving that the procedure is feasible for the potential ablation of left-sided accessory pathways. We now report the effects of percutaneous transcatheter laser balloon ablation in a chronic canine model.

Twenty adult mongrel dogs were studied. After baseline coronary arteriography, left ventriculography, and coronary sinus angiography were obtained, 15 dogs received two or three consecutive laser doses from the coronary sinus of 30-40 W for 15-30 seconds, for a total cumulative energy of 1,200-2,400 J. The five remaining animals underwent a procedure consisting of balloon sham inflation without laser exposure and served as controls. After a mean follow-up of 6 weeks, the angiographic procedures were repeated, and the animals were killed. The mean extent of the fibrotic lesion was 15 mm long, 6 mm wide, and 4.5 mm deep and involved the coronary sinus wall, atrium, and, frequently, the summit of the posterior left ventricular wall. Six animals (four in the study group and two in the control group) showed asymptomatic narrowing of the coronary sinus lumen but always with total angiographic reconstitution due to extensive collateral circulation. The circumflex artery and mitral valve were intact angiographically and histologically in all animals.

Percutaneous transcatheter laser balloon ablation via the coronary sinus produces a lesion that may be anatomically well suited for left-sided accessory pathway ablation. Although coronary sinus narrowing may occur, adverse physiological effects are unlikely due to the development of extensive collateral circulation. Systematic clinical studies of this new approach to catheter ablation appear warranted.