THE PIG AS AN ANIMAL MODEL IN CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
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| Year of publication | 2023 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | Cardiac arrhythmias are the most common heart disorders in the human population. Catheter ablation is currently the main method of their treatment. It is possible to prevent the occurrence or persistence of arrhythmia by creating a set of ablation lesions in the heart. Currently, radiofrequency energy (RFA) is commonly used for ablation. Since RFA has some risks, other methods of cardiac ablation are being developed. Most recently, the use of so-called irreversible electroporation (IRE) is being tested, which should have fewer complications compared to RFA. This testing is realized in cooperation between the International Clinical Research Center in Brno (ICRC Animal Center) and the Veterinary Research Institute in Brno, where pigs are used as animal models. The purpose of the article is to present anaesthetic and monitoring procedures dur- ing cardiac electrophysiological intervention. Crossbred pigs were used for testing (white farm pig x land- race, females, 50 kg). An intramuscular administration of the mixture ketamine + xylazine + tiletamine + zolazepam (TKX mixture) was used as premedication. Pigs were intubated and maintained on inhalant isoflurane anaesthesia. Before IRE energy applications, butorphanol was administered intravenously. Once the animals were under general anaesthesia, electrodes for a 12-lead ECG were placed on the animal's chests to monitor the cardiac rhythm. A sensor for measuring oxygen saturation was placed on the animal's tongue. A thermometer was inserted into the oesophagus in order to measure body temperature and potential thermal damage to the oesophagus during ablation. An accelerometer was placed above the sternum to monitor potential muscle contractions. Catheters were inserted through the left and right femoral arteries and veins as follows: catheters designed for intracardiac ECG sensing, voltage mapping, and endocardial ablation were inserted into the right atrium. A catheter designed for invasive blood pressure measurement was inserted into the femoral artery. Catheters were introduced into the left atrium via a transseptal puncture, which was performed with the guidance of an intracardiac echocardiographic probe or via the femoral artery. The introduction of catheters and the verification of their correct position were controlled using X-rays and 3D mapping system. After the end of the experiment, animals were thoroughly monitored till complete recovery. Based on the results, anaesthetic and analgesic protocols and intraoperative monitoring procedures used by the ICRC Animal Center Brno and the Veterinary Research Institute in Brno proved to be safe for experimental pigs used for cardiac electrophysiological interventions. Out of 40 animals in several studies there were no anaesthetic complications. Complications related to cathetrisations were rare with frequency below 5%. Acknowledgments: The research of IRE was supported by the European Regional Development Fund – Pro- ject ENOCH (No. CZ.02.1.01/0.0/0.0/16_019/0000868) and by the Ministry of Agriculture (RO0523). |
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