Processes for the control of tachyarrhythmias by in vivo laser ablation of human heart tissue

摘要

Tachyarrhythmias are corrected by in vivo ablation of human heart tissue employing laser energy delivered by means of elongated optical fibers in a series of short discrete pulses to sites of tachyarrhythmia foci. The operation may be conducted by a thoracotomy or by means of an optical fiber carried by a catheter passed into the heart via a blood vessel. An argon ion laser is preferred. The processes have been demonstrated successfully in 20 clinical operations pursuant to an experimental protocol.