Pilot Study of the Safety and Efficacy of Gallbladder Cryoablation in a Porcine Model: Midterm Results.

PURPOSE: To investigate the midterm safety and efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous gallbladder cryoablation in swine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three swine underwent gallbladder cryoablation. Cryoprobes were positioned percutaneously at the gallbladder margins or within the gallbladder lumen under CT guidance. Two freeze/thaw cycles were performed. One animal was euthanized on postprocedure day 4 as a result of hematemesis unrelated to the ablation. The other 2 animals were euthanized at postprocedure days 30 and 48, respectively. The gallbladder and bile ducts were resected and examined microscopically. RESULTS: Gallbladder cryoablation was completed with freeze/thaw cycle durations of 7.5-10 minutes (mean, 9.4 min ± 1.3) and ablation margins of 5.8-11.5 mm (mean, 7.8 mm ± 1.9). No nontarget ablation was observed. Laboratory values at postprocedure day 4 and the time of euthanasia were within normal limits. Two of 3 animals thrived and exhibited appropriate activity and weight gain. Contrast-enhanced CT immediately before euthanasia demonstrated delayed linear enhancement of the gallbladder wall. Gross inspection at autopsy revealed fibrotic-appearing gallbladders. Cholecystography revealed no communication to the biliary tree. Histologic examination demonstrated complete gallbladder wall fibrosis. Autopsy of the animal euthanized on day 4 revealed a gastric mucosal ulcer distant from the ablation site with no gastric serosal injury. CONCLUSIONS: Gallbladder cryoablation is a promising alternative to surgical cholecystectomy, with complete transmural gallbladder wall fibrosis and cystic duct occlusion seen at 30 and 48 days in swine. Further studies are required to establish procedural safety and long-term efficacy.

MRI quantification of left ventricular function in microinfarct versus large infarct in swine model.

To quantify, using MRI, the acute impacts of defined volume and sizes of coronary microemboli on myocardial viability and left ventricular (LV) function and to use LAD occlusion/reperfusion, as a reference. A total of 28 farm pigs were used in this study. Eight animals were used as controls. Successful coronary interventions were performed under X-ray fluoroscopy in 16 pigs to induce microinfarct (delivery of 16 mm(3) of 40-120 µm) and large infarct (90 min LAD occlusion/reperfusion). On day 3, animals were imaged using contrast enhanced (in beating and non-beating hearts) and cine MRI for evaluating LV viability and function, respectively. Microscopy and cardiac injury enzymes were used to confirm the presence of necrosis. Myocardial damage was smaller after microembolization than occlusion/reperfusion (6.5 ± 0.6%LV mass vs. 12.6 ± 1.2%, P < 0.001). The increase in LV end-systolic volume and decreases in ejection fraction, cardiac output and regional systolic wall thickening, however, were comparable between groups, but significantly differed from controls. MRI also demonstrated microvascular obstruction after microembolization and occlusion/reperfusion as hyperenhanced and hypoenhanced regions, respectively. Microscopic examination revealed patchy necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, but no intramyocardial hemorrhage after microembolization and extensive intramyocardial hemorrhage and transmural damage in the occlusion/reperfusion group. Cardiac injury enzymes confirmed presence of myocardial damage in animals with interventions. Coronary microemboli have acute impact on LV function compared to control animals. Despite the difference in myocardial damage, global and regional LV dysfunction after microembolization was comparable to occlusion/reperfusion. This MR study suggests that the pattern of myocardial damage plays a role in LV dysfunction.

MR fluoroscopy in vascular and cardiac interventions (review).

Vascular and cardiac disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developed and emerging countries. Vascular and cardiac interventions require extensive fluoroscopic guidance to navigate endovascular catheters. X-ray fluoroscopy is considered the current modality for real time imaging. It provides excellent spatial and temporal resolution, but is limited by exposure of patients and staff to ionizing radiation, poor soft tissue characterization and lack of quantitative physiologic information. MR fluoroscopy has been introduced with substantial progress during the last decade. Clinical and experimental studies performed under MR fluoroscopy have indicated the suitability of this modality for: delivery of ASD closure, aortic valves, and endovascular stents (aortic, carotid, iliac, renal arteries, inferior vena cava). It aids in performing ablation, creation of hepatic shunts and local delivery of therapies. Development of more MR compatible equipment and devices will widen the applications of MR-guided procedures. At post-intervention, MR imaging aids in assessing the efficacy of therapies, success of interventions. It also provides information on vascular flow and cardiac morphology, function, perfusion and viability. MR fluoroscopy has the potential to form the basis for minimally invasive image-guided surgeries that offer improved patient management and cost effectiveness.

Quantitative and qualitative characterization of the acute changes in myocardial structure and function after distal coronary microembolization using MDCT.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the potential of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in assessing, at 72 hours, the effects of distal coronary microembolization on myocardial structure and function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Microembolic material (total volume=16 mm(3) of 40-120 µm diameter) was selectively delivered in the left anterior descending coronary artery under x-ray fluoroscopy (n = 6 pigs). After 72 hours, 64-slice MDCT was used to assess LV function, perfusion, and viability. For comparison between the measurements at 80 kV, 120 kV, and postmortem we used Bland-Altman and Pearson correlation. Histochemical and histopathological staining was used for quantitative and qualitative characterization of microinfarct. RESULTS: Cine MDCT showed the deleterious effects of microembolization on systolic wall thickening, LV volumes, and ejection fraction. Perfusion parameters, such as max upslope, peak attenuation, and time to peak, differed between microinfarct territory and remote myocardium. Inconsistency in visualizing microinfarct was observed using tube voltages of 80 kV and 120 kV. The extent of heterogeneous microinfarct was 4.5 ± 1.0 % of LV mass at 80 kV, 6.1 ± 0.9% LV at 120 kV, and 5.9 ± 1.1% LV on postmortem. There was significant difference in the extent of microinfarct measured on 80 kV MDCT compared with 120 kV and postmortem. Microscopic examination revealed the random distribution of obstructed microvessels surrounded by myocardial necrosis and inflammatory cells in all animals. CONCLUSION: Both visible and nonvisible microinfarct cause perfusion deficit and LV dysfunction. MDCT is sensitive for quantifying early functional changes in LV caused by microembolization. Further improvement in spatial resolution of this technology is needed to improve visualization of microinfarct.

Reperfusion injury components and manifestations determined by cardiovascular MR and MDCT imaging.

Advances in magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) imaging have improved visualization of acute and scar infarct. Over the past decade, there have been and continues to be many significant technical advancements in cardiac MR and multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) technologies. The strength of MR imaging relies on a variety of pulse sequences and the ability to noninvasively provide information on myocardial structure, function and perfusion in a single imaging session. The recent technical developments may also allow CT technologies to rise to the forefront for evaluating clinical ischemic heart disease. Components of reperfusion injury including myocardial edema, hemorrhage, calcium deposition and microvascular obstruction (MO) have been demonstrated using MR and CT technologies. MR imaging can be used serially and noninvasively in assessing acute and chronic consequences of reperfusion injury because there is no radiation exposure or administration of radioactive materials. MDCT is better suited for assessing coronary artery stenosis and as an alternative technique for assessing viability in patients where MR imaging is contraindicated. Changes in left ventricular (LV) volumes and function measured on cine MR are directly related to infarct size measured on delayed contrast enhanced images. Recent MR studies found that transmural infarct, MO and peri-infarct zone are excellent predictors of poor post-infarct recovery and mortality. Recent MR studies provided ample evidence that growth factor genes and stem cells delivered locally have beneficial effects on myocardial viability, perfusion and function. The significance of deposited calcium in acute infarct detected on MDCT requires further studies. Cardiac MR and MDCT imaging have the potential for assessing reperfusion injury components and manifestations.