[Destruction of the bundle of His with the neodymium-YAG laser. Preliminary experimental study]

Experiments with a new technique for His bundle interruption were performed on 10 dogs. The atrioventricular node-His bundle track was destroyed by means of a neodymium-yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser (Nd-YAG laser) used in continuous emission at 35 watts. The operation was conducted under simple clamping of the vena cava for a mean period of 1 minute 30 seconds, and 30 seconds were required for destruction of the His bundle. An atrio-ventricular block was obtained immediately in all dogs and persisted for more than 3 weeks. No accident was recorded. The Nd-YAG laser therefore appears to be a reliable technique and could be used for surgical treatment of arrhythmias.