The feasibility of using ultrasound for cardiac ablation.

The feasibility of using ultrasound to induce cardiac tissue necrosis for the treatment of arrhythmias was investigated. A theoretical model was used to optimize the operating frequency for necrosis of highly perfused muscle tissue. From these simulations it appeared that frequencies from 10-15 MHz produce the deepest lesions at ultrasound intensities between 15 and 30 W/cm2. Test catheters with a planar ultrasound transducer (diameter 2.3 mm = 7 F) were also constructed and in vitro and in vivo tests with canine heart muscle were performed. Both of these tests showed that the ultrasound catheters could deliver adequate energy to necrose cardiac tissue. The in vivo lesion depths of 5-9 mm indicated that ultrasound has significant potential for cardiac ablation for the treatment of arrhythmias.