Characterization of radiofrequency ablation lesions with gadolinium-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging

Timm Dickfeld, Ritsushi Kato, Menekhem Muz Zviman, Shenghan Lai, Glenn Meininger, Albert C. Lardo, Ariel Roguin, David Alan Bluemke, Ronald Berger, Hugh Calkins, Henry Halperin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

134 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the characteristics of gadolinium-enhanced imaging of radiofrequency ablations. BACKGROUND: Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used successfully to evaluate tissue necrosis after myocardial infarction. In electrophysiology, radiofrequency energy is used to create a targeted myocardial necrosis for the treatment of various arrhythmias. METHODS: Using a power-controlled, cooled-tip 7-F catheter system, radiofrequency lesions (10 to 40 W for 30 s) were created on the epicardium of the right ventricle in eight mongrel dogs. After injection of 0.225 mmol/kg gadolinium, T1-weighted fast gradient echo images were obtained during a follow-up of 10 h using an intrathoracic high-resolution coil. Radiofrequency ablations were analyzed on the MR images and compared with gross anatomy and histopathology. RESULTS: Four distinct phases of signal enhancement were observed. After gadolinium injection, radiofrequency lesions were delineated clearly as contrast-free areas of low signal intensity (contrast-to-noise ratio [CNR] = -21.1 ± 19.8). Signal enhancement in the lesion periphery started 4.0 ± 1.8 min after injection and progressively extended toward the lesion center at a rate of 0.02 mm/min. Full delayed enhancement was observed after 98 ± 21 min (CNR = +17.8 ± 9.0). During the follow-up period, CNR started to decrease, but the lesions were detectable for as long as 10 h of follow-up. During the first three phases of enhancement, MRI correlated well with the pathological findings (r = 0.88, r = 0.88, and r = 0.86 [p < 0.001], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency ablation can be evaluated accurately by using gadolinium-enhanced MRI, which may allow the noninvasive assessment of procedural success. The dissimilar wash-in and wash-out kinetics compared with myocardial infarction suggest a different pathophysiological process with complete loss of microvasculature.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)370-378
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology
Volume47
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 17 2006

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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