Cryosurgical modification of the atrioventricular node: a closed heart approach in the dog.

摘要: Intraoperative modification of the atrioventricular (AV) node to prolong refractoriness could be an alternative His bundle ablation in patients with refractory supraventricular arrhythmias. It was postulated that a cryosurgical lesion at posterior interatrial septum closed heart achieve this. An electrophysiologic study performed anesthetized dogs. The AV fat pad mobilized expose posteroseptal region. A cryoprobe cooled 0 −10°C moved exposed region until reversible block indicated proximity node. probe then −70°C for 30 seconds. Four weeks later, five dogs had favorable result mean prolongation Wenckebach cycle length 45 ± 7% (p Thus, 1) controlled cryoinjury modify function is feasible heart; 2) preservation conduction provides advantage over ablation.