Characterization of warm saline-enhanced radiofrequency ablation lesions in the infarcted porcine ventricular myocardium.

Background: Radiofrequency (RF) ablation of scar-mediated ventricular tachycardia is limited by the size of lesions achieved with conventional catheters. We examined the gross and histopathology characteristics of warm saline-enhanced radiofrequency (SERF) ablation delivered to left ventricular (LV) infarction scars via a novel catheter employing an extendable infusion needle electrode.

Methods And Results: Yorkshire pigs (n = 14) underwent LV infarction by left anterior descending artery balloon occlusion.