ABSTRACT
Transcatheter electrocoagulation (TCEC) has been shown to produce permanent arterial occlusion. This study was performed to evaluate the potential of using TCEC of the pulmonary artery as an experimental model of pulmonary thromboembolism. Fourteen lobar or first-order pulmonary arteries were occluded in ten dogs in the acute studies. Eight pulmonary arteries were occluded in eight dogs that were sacrificed 25 to 85 days after TCEC. There were permanent occlusions in seven, and all seven evidence of pulmonary infarction. The animals tolerated the procedure well. The technique may have merit as an experimental model for studying pulmonary thrombosis and infarction.
Subject(s)
Pulmonary Embolism , Animals , Catheterization , Dogs , Electrocoagulation , Pulmonary Artery/surgery , Pulmonary Embolism/diagnostic imaging , Pulmonary Embolism/pathology , RadiographyABSTRACT
The effect of changing the size and position of the anode and cathode during direct current Transcatheter Electrocoagulation (TCEC) was evaluated in dogs. The results showed that there was no difference in the time required for vessel occlusion when the size and position of the electrodes were changed. However, there were differences noted in the amount of voltage needed to maintain the constant current. Based on these results, for TCEC we recommend positioning the largest possible guidewire anode against the vessel wall. The cathode should be a highly lubricated sponge covered Bovie ground plate.
Subject(s)
Electrocoagulation/instrumentation , Animals , Catheterization/instrumentation , Dogs , Electrodes , Femoral Artery/diagnostic imaging , RadiographyABSTRACT
Transcatheter electrocoagulation using direct current has been shown to be an effective method for vessel occlusion. To date, the stainless steel anode has not been entirely satisfactory. Thus, an evaluation of bipolar platinum electrodes and a comparison of monopolar platinum and stainless steel electrodes have been performed. Experimental results have shown that both monopolar and bipolar platinum electrodes caused perforation in most cases. At the present time, we have not found a satisfactory replacement for the unipolar stainless steel anode.
