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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
Standardized Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Swine
Published on: January 30, 2020
Alcohol ablation at the posterior papillary muscle prevents ventricular fibrillation in swine without affecting
Lei-Sheng Guo1, Xu Zhou, Yan-Hui Li
1Department of Cardiology, Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, People's Republic of China.
Aims:
Radiofrequency ablation at the posterior papillary muscle (PM) significantly reduced ventricular fibrillation (VF) inducibility in rabbits and dogs, suggesting that PM may be involved in the generation of VF. However, the effect of ablation at the PM on VF inducibility remains unknown in normal intact swine hearts because in this species radiofrequency energy delivered at PM provoked incessant VF.
Methods And Results:
Twelve anesthetized swine underwent median sternotomy. Under the ultrasonographic guidance, chemical ablation was performed via injection of dehydrated alcohol into the base of the posterior PM (group PM, n = 6) or anterior wall (control group, n = 6) in the left ventricle. Ventricular fibrillation inducibility and mitral valve function were measured pre- and post-ablation. Hearts were explanted and the ablated myocardium was stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Ventricular fibrillation inducibility was significantly decreased from 100 ± 0% pre-ablation to 11.9 ± 7.8% post-ablation in group PM (P = 0.001), whereas it was not statistically different in the control group (100 ± 0 vs. 92.9 ± 7.1%, pre-ablation vs. post-ablation). Haemorrhage and cellular necrosis was observed in the centre of ablated myocardium and no significant mitral regurgitation was observed following ablation at the posterior PM.
Conclusion:
Alcohol ablation of the left posterior PM reduced VF inducibility in normal intact swine hearts, with no significant mitral regurgitation. This suggests that the posterior PM may be involved in the generation of VF, and the recurrence of VF may be prevented by chemical ablation at the posterior PM.
Insights
Chemical ablation of the posterior papillary muscle (PM) in swine significantly reduced ventricular fibrillation (VF) inducibility. This study suggests the posterior PM plays a role in VF generation and that ablation may prevent VF recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Electrophysiology
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Previous studies in rabbits and dogs indicated that radiofrequency ablation at the posterior papillary muscle (PM) reduces ventricular fibrillation (VF) inducibility.
- However, the effect of PM ablation on VF inducibility in swine was unknown due to VF induction by radiofrequency energy in this species.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of chemical ablation of the posterior PM on VF inducibility in normal intact swine hearts.
- To assess the impact of posterior PM ablation on mitral valve function.
Main Methods:
- Twelve swine underwent median sternotomy and ultrasonographic guidance for chemical ablation.
- Dehydrated alcohol was injected into the posterior PM (PM group, n=6) or anterior wall (control group, n=6).
- Ventricular fibrillation inducibility and mitral valve function were measured pre- and post-ablation; explanted hearts were histologically examined.
Main Results:
- Posterior PM ablation significantly decreased VF inducibility from 100% to 11.9% (P=0.001).
- The control group showed no significant change in VF inducibility (100% vs. 92.9%).
- Histological examination revealed hemorrhage and necrosis in the ablated area; no significant mitral regurgitation was observed.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol ablation of the left posterior PM effectively reduced VF inducibility in swine without causing significant mitral regurgitation.
- These findings suggest the posterior PM is implicated in VF generation.
- Chemical ablation of the posterior PM may offer a strategy to prevent recurrent VF.
