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Evaluation of a new epicardial cryoablation system for the treatment of Cardiac Tachyarrhythmias

Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: Background: With the recent reports of success, there is now increasing use of cryoablation as a standalone, minimally invasive procedure to treat various cardiac arrhythmias.With increased use, a need for new devices and treatment strategies to deliver improved outcomes has emerged.In this study we investigated the performance of a new super critical nitrogen (SCN) epicardial cryoprobe for the targeted ablation of cardiac tissue.We hypothesized that the SCN technology would enable the rapid, effective delivery of ultra-cold temperatures thereby enabling more effective ablation.Methods: Assessment included calorimetry, isotherm distribution, repeatability and ablation capacity in a heat loaded ex vivo tissue model.Results: The SCN device repeatedly generated >2 cm diameter freeze zones in <2 minutes.Calorimetric assessment revealed cooling power >325 W. Isothermal profiling revealed penetration of the -20°C, -30°C and -40°C isotherms to a diameter of 2.2 cm, 2.1 cm and 1.9 cm in a 2.3 cm ice ball following a 3 minute freeze resulting in ~90% of the frozen volume below -20°C, 80% below -30°C and >65% below -40°C.Tissue studies revealed the generation of a full thickness (5-10 mm) cryogenic lesion within 1 min with an opposite (transmural) surface temperature of <-60°C under a circulating 37°C heat load.Conclusions: These studies suggest that the SCN epicardial cryoprobe may provide for rapid, effective, controllable freezing of targeted tissue.The ablative power also offers the potential of improved safety via a reduction in procedural time compared to current devices potentially opening new avenues for cryoablation to treat other cardiac arrhythmogenic disorders.
DOI: 10.15761/tim.1000125
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W2795725170
FWCI: 0.568
Cites: 56
Cited by: 6
Related to: 10