Real time image guided high intensity focused ultrasound for myocardial ablation: in vivo study

A total of 36 canines were treated to study the feasibility of using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for ablation of cardiac tissue. Lesions were created at various locations within the muscle tissue of a beating heart. In addition, lesions were precisely placed in the conduction pathways (on the Atrioventricular, AV node), successfully creating complete heart-block indicating possible clinical application.