Radio-frequency tissue ablation: effect of pharmacologic modulation of blood flow on coagulation diameter.

PURPOSE

To determine whether vasoactive pharmacologic agents can alter radio-frequency (RF)-induced coagulation necrosis by modulating hepatic blood flow.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RF ablation was performed in normal, in vivo porcine liver with 1.5-cm internally cooled electrodes and a standardized RF application (i.e., 500 mA for 10 minutes). Ablation was performed without (n = 9) and with pharmacologic modulation of blood flow with halothane (n = 7), vasopressin (n = 6), or epinephrine (n = 7). Laser Doppler techniques were used to quantify changes in hepatic blood flow. Remote thermometry was also performed. Blood flow was correlated with both induced coagulation necrosis and tissue temperatures.

RESULTS

Halothane reduced mean blood flow (+/- SD) to 46.1% +/- 8.5 of normal, and vasopressin increased mean blood flow to 132.7% +/- 13.9. Epinephrine caused increased hepatic blood flow centrally (171.1% +/- 31.7) but not peripherally (102.8% +/- 15.4). Mean coagulation diameter was 1.4 cm +/- 0.3 with vasopressin, 2.2 cm +/- 0.4 with normal blood flow, and 3.2 cm +/- 0.1 with halothane (P < .01). After epinephrine infusion, mean coagulation measured 2.3 cm +/- 0.3 peripherally and 1.4 cm +/- 0.5 centrally (P < .01). A linear correlation between coagulation diameter and blood flow was demonstrated (r2 = 0.78). Temperatures 10 and 15 mm from the electrode correlated with both blood flow and coagulation diameter (r2 = 0.65 and 0.60, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The coagulation necrosis achieved for a standardized RF application correlates with relative tissue perfusion. Pharmacologic reduction of blood flow during thermally mediated percutaneous ablation may induce greater coagulation necrosis.