Ex Vivo acoustic radiation force impulse imaging of an ovine heart model
Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging with an intra-cardiac probe has been demonstrated to be a suitable modality to monitor the progress of radiofre-quency ablation (RFA) procedures. In order to continue studies while allowing increased control and repeatability in the procedure, an ovine heart model was used to artificially simulate a beating heart. The interior of the heart remained accessible via the connecting vessels. An intra-cardiac probe was inserted via the superior vena cava and ARFI images of all four chambers were formed. RFAs were also performed to create stiffer lesions within the right ventricle. Upon completion of the ablation and removal of the ablation catheter, ARFI imaging was used to visualize the lesion. The results show the ovine heart model is a suitable apparatus to simulate cardiac motion and a valuable tool to develop and refine procedures for intra-cardiac ARFI imaging based guidance and assessment of ra-diofrequency ablations within the heart. © 2006 IEEE.
