J Korean Radiol Soc.  2007 Sep;57(3):271-276. 10.3348/jkrs.2007.57.3.271.

Comparison of Radiofrequency Ablation Lesion Size with Occlusion of Renal Vessels in Rabbit Kidneys: Occlusion of Renal Artery, Vein, and Both Vessels

• Choi HJ
• Kim IO
• Lee JM
• Chung JW
• Choi SH
• Eo H
• Lee KC
• Park HS
• Chang JM
• Park BK
• Kim SH

• KMID: 1834498
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2007.57.3.271

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to compare the in-vivo efficiency of vascular occlusion on radiofrequency ablation (RFA) lesion size in a rabbit kidney model.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
RFA lesions were created in a single kidney in 20 rabbits using an internally cooled electrode. Twenty ablation zones (1 per kidney) were created using 4 different regimens: RFA without vascular occlusion (n = 5), RFA with renal artery occlusion (n = 5), RFA with renal vein occlusion (n = 5), RFA with renal artery and vein occlusion (n = 5). Seven days later, the rabbits were sacrificed and the lesions were excised. These groups were then compared with respect to the dimensions of the ablation zones and the changes in impedance and current during RFA.
RESULTS
The maximum ablation zone width was the greatest in the renal artery and vein occlusion group (21.0+/-1.4 mm), followed by the renal artery occlusion group (17.8+/-1.0 mm), the renal vein occlusion group (17.4+/-1.1 mm), and the nonocclusion group (7.8+/-2.4 mm) (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for impedances and currents between the 4 groups.
CONCLUSION
Vascular occlusion combined with RFA effectively increased ablation zone dimensions compared with RFA alone, and the best effect was accomplished by combined renal artery and vein occlusion.

Keyword

Kidney, interventional procedures; Radiofrequency (RF), ablation; Experimental study

MeSH Terms

Catheter Ablation*
Electric Impedance
Electrodes
Kidney*
Open Bite
Rabbits
Renal Artery*
Renal Veins
Veins*