[Experimental study of fulguration on a healthy ventricle. I. Acute lesions]

The effect of fulguration shocks applied to the healthy ventricular myocardium in 6 pigs weighing between 63 and 100 kg showed that for shocks with the same energy level as those used in clinical practice, the immediate effects of fulguration result in a hemorrhagic zone with a diameter of up to 15 mm. Histopathological examination revealed tearing of the cardiomyocytes which is probably related to barotraumatic phenomena. Deflagrating shocks of 90 Joules, with a short development time (non-self-inductive circuit) can lead to perforation of the myocardium in both the right and left ventricles. In this animal model, arrhythmia was rare and did not lead to sudden death in any case. No vascular damage was observed.