Arterial occlusion by direct-current transcatheter electrocoagulation (TCEC) has been developed experimentally and used successfully in clinical situations. The major shortcoming of the technique has been the lengthy time necessary for occlusion of larger arteries. In the present study we attempted to decrease the time necessary for TCEC occlusion of the renal and femoral arteries of heparinized mongrel dogs. The results showed that the occlusion time could be significantly decreased, either by increasing the TCEC current from 15 ma to 30 or 60 ma, or by using a Meditech balloon catheter to occlude the artery during TCEC. The combination of higher current and simultaneous balloon occlusion consistently produced permanent occlusion of arteries up to 7 mm in diameter in 15 minutes or less. Balloon occlusion with TCEC is significantly faster than without this modification and makes the technique of TCEC more applicable for human use and for continued experimental study than any previous refinements.
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