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BETA IS BETTER THAN RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION
Author(s) -
Dobbins C.,
Wemyss Holden S.,
Cockburn J.,
Maddern G.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.2007.04122_5.x
Subject(s) - medicine , radiofrequency ablation , coagulative necrosis , ablation , catheter ablation , beta (programming language) , biomedical engineering , nuclear medicine , pathology , computer science , programming language
Purpose Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a popular method of treating unresectable liver tumours by the use of a high‐frequency, alternating electrical current that heats and destroys tumour cells. The size of the ablation produced is limited by localised charring of adjacent tissue that prevents further conduction of the radiofrequency current. To overcome this problem, a Bi‐modal Electric Tissue Ablation (BETA) circuit has been created that adds a direct electrical current to a radiofrequency current. Direct currents attract water to the cathode in biological tissues and this phenomenon is utilised in an effort to prevent tissue charring. The BETA circuit was tested in a pig model. Methods 2 studies have been performed with this new circuit, one to compare sizes of the ablation produced between standard RFA and the BETA circuit. This was followed by a long‐term study to assess associated changes to liver function and pathological changes within the liver. Results Ablations with significantly larger diameters are created with the BETA circuit (49.6 mm +/− SE 3.46 vs 27.78 mm +/− SE 3.37, p < 0.001). Ablations produced by the BETA circuit induced coagulative necrosis within the treated hepatocytes that healed by fibrosis. Significant rises in serum liver enzymes are seen within 24 hours of treatment but these return to normal within 7 days. Treatment with the BETA circuit otherwise appears safe. Conclusions The BETA circuit produces significantly larger ablations than standard RFA. Although larger, the injuries produced behave in a similar manner to standard RFA and it is anticipated that with further refinements, the BETA circuit will become a useful treatment modality for unresectable liver tumours.