H Immo Lehmann1, Daniel Richter2, Hannah Prokesch2, Christian Graeff2, Matthias Prall2, Palma Simoniello2, Claudia Fournier2, Julia Bauer2, Robert Kaderka2, Alexander Weymann2, Gábor Szabó2, Karin Sonnenberg2, Anna M Constantinescu2, Susan B Johnson2, Juna Misiri2, Mitsuru Takami2, Robert C Miller2, Michael G Herman2, Samuel J Asirvatham2, Stephan Brons2, Oliver Jäkel2, Thomas Haberer2, Jürgen Debus2, Marco Durante2, Christoph Bert2, Douglas L Packer2. 1. From the Mayo Clinic Translational Interventional Electrophysiology Laboratory (H.I.L., S.B.J., J.M., M.T., S.J.A., D.L.P.) and Department of Radiation Oncology (R.C.M., M.G.H.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Biophysics, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany (D.R., C.G., M.P., P.S., C.F., R.K., A.M.C., M.D., C.B.); Department of Radiation Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany (D.R., C.B.); Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg, Germany (H.P., J.B., S.B., T.H., J.D.); Department of Experimental Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany (A.W., G.S., K.S.); and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany (O.J.). helge.i.lehmann@gmail.com. 2. From the Mayo Clinic Translational Interventional Electrophysiology Laboratory (H.I.L., S.B.J., J.M., M.T., S.J.A., D.L.P.) and Department of Radiation Oncology (R.C.M., M.G.H.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Biophysics, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany (D.R., C.G., M.P., P.S., C.F., R.K., A.M.C., M.D., C.B.); Department of Radiation Oncology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany (D.R., C.B.); Heidelberg Ion-Beam Therapy Center (HIT), Heidelberg, Germany (H.P., J.B., S.B., T.H., J.D.); Department of Experimental Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany (A.W., G.S., K.S.); and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany (O.J.).
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Particle therapy, with heavy ions such as carbon-12 ((12)C), delivered to arrhythmogenic locations of the heart could be a promising new means for catheter-free ablation. As a first investigation, we tested the feasibility of in vivo atrioventricular node ablation, in Langendorff-perfused porcine hearts, using a scanned 12C beam. METHODS AND RESULTS: Intact hearts were explanted from 4 (30-40 kg) pigs and were perfused in a Langendorff organ bath. Computed tomographic scans (1 mm voxel and slice spacing) were acquired and (12)C ion beam treatment planning (optimal accelerator energies, beam positions, and particle numbers) for atrioventricular node ablation was conducted. Orthogonal x-rays with matching of 4 implanted clips were used for positioning. Ten Gray treatment plans were repeatedly administered, using pencil beam scanning. After delivery, positron emission tomography-computed tomographic scans for detection of β(+) ((11)C) activity were obtained. A (12)C beam with a full width at half maximum of 10 mm was delivered to the atrioventricular node. Delivery of 130 Gy caused disturbance of atrioventricular conduction with transition into complete heart block after 160 Gy. Positron emission computed tomography demonstrated dose delivery into the intended area. Application did not induce arrhythmias. Macroscopic inspection did not reveal damage to myocardium. Immunostaining revealed strong γH2AX signals in the target region, whereas no γH2AX signals were detected in the unirradiated control heart. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of the application of a (12)C beam for ablation of cardiac tissue to treat arrhythmias. Catheter-free ablation using 12C beams is feasible and merits exploration in intact animal studies as an energy source for arrhythmia elimination.
BACKGROUND: Particle therapy, with heavy ions such as carbon-12 ((12)C), delivered to arrhythmogenic locations of the heart could be a promising new means for catheter-free ablation. As a first investigation, we tested the feasibility of in vivo atrioventricular node ablation, in Langendorff-perfused porcine hearts, using a scanned 12C beam. METHODS AND RESULTS: Intact hearts were explanted from 4 (30-40 kg) pigs and were perfused in a Langendorff organ bath. Computed tomographic scans (1 mm voxel and slice spacing) were acquired and (12)C ion beam treatment planning (optimal accelerator energies, beam positions, and particle numbers) for atrioventricular node ablation was conducted. Orthogonal x-rays with matching of 4 implanted clips were used for positioning. Ten Gray treatment plans were repeatedly administered, using pencil beam scanning. After delivery, positron emission tomography-computed tomographic scans for detection of β(+) ((11)C) activity were obtained. A (12)C beam with a full width at half maximum of 10 mm was delivered to the atrioventricular node. Delivery of 130 Gy caused disturbance of atrioventricular conduction with transition into complete heart block after 160 Gy. Positron emission computed tomography demonstrated dose delivery into the intended area. Application did not induce arrhythmias. Macroscopic inspection did not reveal damage to myocardium. Immunostaining revealed strong γH2AX signals in the target region, whereas no γH2AX signals were detected in the unirradiated control heart. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of the application of a (12)C beam for ablation of cardiac tissue to treat arrhythmias. Catheter-free ablation using 12C beams is feasible and merits exploration in intact animal studies as an energy source for arrhythmia elimination.
Authors: Baiquan Su; Shi Yu; Xintong Li; Yi Gong; Han Li; Zifeng Ren; Yijing Xia; He Wang; Yucheng Zhang; Wei Yao; Junchen Wang; Jie Tang Journal: IEEE J Transl Eng Health Med Date: 2021-02-02 Impact factor: 3.316
Authors: H Immo Lehmann; Christian Graeff; Palma Simoniello; Anna Constantinescu; Mitsuru Takami; Patrick Lugenbiel; Daniel Richter; Anna Eichhorn; Matthias Prall; Robert Kaderka; Fine Fiedler; Stephan Helmbrecht; Claudia Fournier; Nadine Erbeldinger; Ann-Kathrin Rahm; Rasmus Rivinius; Dierk Thomas; Hugo A Katus; Susan B Johnson; Kay D Parker; Jürgen Debus; Samuel J Asirvatham; Christoph Bert; Marco Durante; Douglas L Packer Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2016-12-20 Impact factor: 4.379
Authors: Felicitas Rapp; Palma Simoniello; Julia Wiedemann; Karola Bahrami; Valeria Grünebaum; Svetlana Ktitareva; Marco Durante; P Lugenbiel; D Thomas; H Immo Lehmann; Douglas L Packer; Christian Graeff; Claudia Fournier Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2019-03-21 Impact factor: 4.379