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Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): Development of a Flow Model for Bovine Livers for Extensive Bench Testing

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Abstract

Purpose

To develop a flow model for bovine livers for extensive bench testing of technical improvements or procedure-related developments of radiofrequency ablation excluding animal experiments.

Methods

The perfusion of bovine livers directly from the slaughterhouse was simulated in a liver perfusion tank developed for the experimental work. The liver perfusion medium used was a Tyrode solution prepared in accordance with physiologic criteria (as for liver transplants) which was oxygenated by an oxygenator and heated to 36.5°C. Portal vein circulation was regulated via a flow- and pressure-controlled pump and arterial circulation using a dialysis machine. Flow rate and pressure were adjusted as for the physiology of a human liver converted to bovine liver conditions. The fluid discharged from the liver was returned into the perfusion system through the vena cava. Extendable precision swivel arms with the radiofrequency probe attached were mounted on the liver perfusion tank. RFA was conducted with the RF3000 generator and a 2 cm LeVeen needle (Boston Scientific, Ratingen, Germany) in a three-dimensional grid for precise localization of the generated thermolesions.

Results

Four bovine livers weighing 8.4 ± 0.4 kg each were prepared, connected to the perfusion system, and consecutively perfused for the experiments. Mean arterial flow was 569 ± 43 ml/min, arterial pressure 120 mmHg, portovenous flow 1440 ± 305 ml/min, and portal pressure 10 mmHg. Macroscopic evaluation after the experiments revealed no thrombi within the hepatic vessels. A total of 136 RF thermolesions were generated with an average number of 34 per liver. Mean RF duration was 2:59 ± 2:01 min:sec with an average baseline impedance of 28.2 ± 3.4 ohms. The mean diameter of the thermolesions along the puncture channel was 22.98 ± 4.34 mm and perpendicular to the channel was 23.27 ± 4.82 mm.

Conclusion

Extracorporeal perfusion of bovine livers with consecutive standardized RF ablation was feasible. The bovine liver flow model seems to allow extensive, standardized evaluation of technical or procedure-related developments of RF systems.

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Acknowledgment

The study was conducted in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg, Germany, and supported by the Porstmann Grant of the German Radiology Society

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Radiology, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Luebeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Luebeck, 23538, Germany

    Andreas Lubienski & Katrin Lubienski

  2. Department of Orthopedics, Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg, Schlierbacher Landstrasse 200a, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany

    Rudi G. Bitsch

  3. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 110, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany

    Guenter Kauffmann

  4. Department of Radiology, Hospital Northwest Frankfurt, Steinbacher Hohl 2-26, Frankfurt, 60488, Germany

    Markus Duex

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  1. Andreas Lubienski
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  2. Rudi G. Bitsch
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  3. Katrin Lubienski
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  4. Guenter Kauffmann
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  5. Markus Duex
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Correspondence to Andreas Lubienski.

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Lubienski, A., Bitsch, R.G., Lubienski, K. et al. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): Development of a Flow Model for Bovine Livers for Extensive Bench Testing. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 29, 1068–1072 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-004-0338-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-004-0338-4

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