This work investigates evaporation kinetics — the relation between the surface temperature and pressure during excimer laser ablation. Nickel targets are ablated by excimer laser pulses in a laser fluence range between 1 and 6 J/cm2, with the upper limit exceeding the threshold of phase explosion (5 J/cm2). The surface pressure is determined with a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric t...

Catheter ablation is a common treatment option for drug-refractory atrial fibrillation. In many cases, pulmonary vein isolation is the treatment of choice. With current fluoro overlay methods or electroanatomic mapping systems, it is possible to visualize three-dimensional (3-D) anatomy as well as target ablation lines to provide additional context information. Today, however, these lines need ...

BACKGROUND Catheter ablation of ganglionated plexi (GP) in the left atrium has been proposed in different subgroup of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Anatomic studies found a high prevalence of GP in the posterior surface of the right atrium (RA). Experimental data suggested the potential role of right atrial GP in the AF initiation and maintenance. The aim of our study was to assess th...

BACKGROUND Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) allows visualization of radiofrequency (RF) ablation lesions in the left ventricle in an animal model. AIM To test whether MCE allows visualization of RF and cryo ablation lesions in the human right atrium using three-dimensional echocardiography. METHODS 18 patients underwent catheter ablation of a supraventricular tachycardia and were ...

BACKGROUND Ablation of complex arrhythmias would be greatly facilitated by more precise control of ablation catheters. A feasibility study was performed in animals to evaluate a novel magnetic guidance system (MGS) that generates a magnetic field to control the movement and position of a magnetic ablation catheter. METHODS AND RESULTS The MGS is composed of a digital biplanar fluoroscope with...

OBJECTIVES To investigate apicectomies performed using burs, a CO2 laser or an Er:YAG laser and to evaluate the following aspects: morphology of apicectomized surfaces, presence of failures at the dentin/obturation material interface (marginal fit) of the apical portions of the root canals, and the proportions of chemical elements in the apicectomized surfaces. STUDY DESIGN Twenty-four teeth ...

PURPOSE To perform a quantitative evaluation of smoothness of ablation on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) using four scanning excimer lasers available commercially for photorefractive surgery. METHODS Ablations were done on PMMA plates with dimensions 100 x 50 x 1 mm. Four scanning excimer lasers were used, two with flying spot technology (Zeiss-Meditec MEL-70, and a Russian-made unit, Microsca...

Background. A pace mapping technique using body surface potential maps (BSPMs) was developed to guide the positioning of an ablation catheter at the ventricular insertion point of accessory pathways (AP) in patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW). Methods and Results. The study was performed on 30WPW patients. BSPMs were recorded with 63 leads distributed over the entire torso su...

background: after radiofrequency catheter ablation of arrhythmias, patients have to bed rest for 4-6 h to prevent bleeding and hematoma. however, such a rest may cause back pain in the patients. the aim of this study was to determine the effects of continuous change in body position during and after the radiofrequency ablation on the back pain. materials and methods: in a quasi‑experimental des...

To the Editor: In her recent editorial (Roberts C. The cornea is not a piece of plastic. J Refract Surg 2000;16:407-413), Dr. Roberts points out that biomechanical flattening enhances a myopic excimer laser ablation and works against a hyperopic ablation. Would the circular severing of corneal lamellae in hyperopic ablation not lead to a contraction of the central part of these lamellae with a ...