[Experimental study of fulguration of healthy ventricle. II. Chronic lesions]

The effect of fulguration shocks was studied using healthy ventricular myocardium of 12 pigs weighing between 63 and 100 kg. With shocks of equal energy to those used clinically, lesions seen 24 hours after the session in two pigs showed the formation of loose fibrosis and of marked cellular infiltration as well as zones of hypercontraction with calcium precipitation. The size of chronic lesions seen during periods ranging from one week to 2 months was studied in 4 pigs. Transmural plaques with a diameter of 1.5 to 2 cm were seen in the right ventricle. For the same energy levels of 240 Joules delivered to left ventricular tissue, lesions were of the same size but were never transmural. Under certain conditions, lesions were disposed in the direction of the neutral electrode.