Application of right atrial contiguous linear lesions: an in vivo efficacy validation of multipolar ablation catheters in an animal model.

Catheter ablation of atrial flutter and catheter Maze procedures require the creation of linear lesions. The efficacy of different multipolar catheters to create linear contiguous transmural lesions was studied in a sheep model. In 19 sheep a multipolar ablation catheter was inserted into the right atrium.

Periarterial papaverine application improves intraoperative kidney function during laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Background: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy decreases disincentives to donation frequently associated with the disadvantages of open surgery. However, concerns have been raised regarding graft quality, since the incidence of delayed graft function is higher when compared with open procedures. This may be caused by amelioration of kidney perfusion due to the elevated intraabdominal pressure and to a mechanically induced renal angiospasm during donation.