In vitro atrial septal ablation using high-intensity focused ultrasound
Yasuyoshi Takei1, Robert Muratore, Andrew Kalisz
1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA. ytakei@aol.com
Background:
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been applied clinically as a noninvasive therapeutic tool. Atrial septostomy is a palliative treatment for pulmonary artery hypertension. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of atrial septal ablation in vitro using HIFU.
Methods:
Fourteen sections of atrial septum from pig hearts were treated. Focused ultrasound energy was applied with an operating frequency of 5.25 MHz at the nominal focal point intensity of 4.0 kW/cm(2) for 0.4 sec in 1-sec intervals.
Results:
Lesions were created with ultrasonic exposures ranging from 40 to 120 pulses. There were significant relationships between HIFU exposure time and lesion area on the exposed site (R(2) = 0.3389, P < .0001) and lesion volume (R(2) = 0.6161, P < .0001).
Conclusions:
HIFU has the potential to create focal perforations without direct tissue contact. This method may prove useful for noninvasive atrial septostomy.
