[Electrocoagulation of the His bundle node junction in dogs by a high-frequency current delivered by suction...

High-frequency currents constitute an attractive form of energy for transcutaneous myocardial destruction, but their potential for creating lesions varies with the nature of contact between electrode and skin. The adequacy of a suction catheter for electrocoagulation of the AV node-His bundle junction was assessed in 7 dogs. The high-frequency current (1.2 MHz) was delivered as bursts of 6 watts lasting 30 seconds, between the distal electrode of a bipolar catheter containing a central lumen (USCI 8F) and a wide skin electrode. During firing, an 80 kPa depression was applied to the lumen. Electrophysiological testing was performed before and immediately after firing. Continuous 24-hour Holter recording was carried out before, immediately after, then between the 2nd and 20th days post-firing. Following another electrophysiological study, the animals were killed on the 15th or 21st day for anatomical study. Complete atrioventricular block was obtained in all dogs during the first (n = 4) or second (n = 3) firing and persisted in 6 dogs up to the time of anatomical study. The atrial and right ventricular electrophysiological parameters remained unmodified after firing, and no severe ventricular arrhythmia was recorded during the study. The histological lesions were 4.7 +/- 0.7 mm in mean diameter and 3.1 +/- 0.6 mm in mean depth. It is concluded that electrocoagulation of the AV node-His bundle junction performed with high-frequency currents is a safe and selective technique. Using suction catheters makes this technique well reproducible with moderate amounts of energy. The development of preformed catheters should reduce the duration of the procedure.