Feasibility of endoscopic guidance for nonsurgical transthoracic atrial and ventricular epicardial ablation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epicardial catheter ablation via subxiphoid percutaneous access currently is used upon failure of endocardial catheter ablation. The safety, efficacy, and applicability of epicardial catheter ablation likely will improve with direct visualization of the pericardial space.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of percutaneous endoscopic guidance for identification of epicardial anatomic landmarks and epicardial catheter ablation.

Methods

Dual subxiphoid epicardial access and femoral venous and arterial access were obtained in six healthy swine. The endoscope and electrophysiology catheter were advanced to the pericardial space. Anatomic landmarks were identified via endoscopy and confirmed by multiview fluoroscopic assessment of p

SUBMITTER: Nazarian S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2597007 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature