Epicardial cryoablation of the bundle of His. An experimental study

An extracardiac, transepicardial approach to the atrioventricular junction, allowing selective cryoablation of the bundle of His, was performed in 10 mongrel dogs. This technique appears to minimize dissection complications, the risk of endocardial damage, and injury to the tricuspid valve, which are reported with endocardial cryoablation. All dogs survived this experiment, and no morbidity was reported. Cryodestruction of the atrioventricular junction is histologically selective and permanent, as was shown at the 3 month follow-up pathological examination.