In vitro characterization of radiofrequency ablation lesions in equine and swine myocardial tissue

Radiofrequency ablation is a promising technique for arrhythmia treatment in horses. Due to the thicker myocardial wall and higher blood flow in horses, it is unknown if conventional radiofrequency settings used in human medicine can be extrapolated to horses. The study aim is to describe the effect of ablation settings on lesion dimensions in equine myocardium. To study species dependent effects, results were compared to swine myocardium. Right ventricular and right and left atrial equine myocardium and right ventricular swine myocardium were suspended in a bath with circulating isotonic saline at 37 °C. The ablation catheter delivered radiofrequency energy at different-power-duration combinations with a contact force of 20 g. Lesion depth and width were measured and lesion volume was calculated. Higher power or longer duration of radiofrequency energy delivery increased lesion size significantly in the equine atrial myocardium and in equine and swine ventricular myocardium (P < 0.001). Mean lesion depth in equine atrial myocardium ranged from 2.9 to 5.5 mm with a diameter ranging from 6.9 to 10.1 mm. Lesion diameter was significantly larger in equine tissue compared to swine tissue (P = 0.020). Obtained data in combination with estimated wall thickness can improve lesion transmurality which might reduce arrhythmia recurrence. Optimal ablation settings may differ between species.