Electrophysiological and histological effects on canine right atrium by photosensitization reaction under catheterization in vivo

We investigated electrophysiological and histological effect on canine anatomical isthmus in right atrium by photosensitization reaction (PR) of talaporfin sodium operated via a manipulative 7 Fr. laser catheter to establish a nonthermal tachyarrhythmia treatment. We continuously administrated talaporfin sodium via a left femoral vein to maintain photosensitizer concentration of 25-35 μg/ml in blood plasma, which is within the range of clinical use in human. Fifteen-minute after kickoff of the photosensitizer administration, a 663 nm laser was irradiated via the laser catheter for 30 s/point with irradiance of 10 W/cm2. After 17 times irradiations, a 23 ms delay of the electrical signal propagation along tricuspid annulus was observed. This result might demonstrate the acute electrical conduction delay induced by PR. The canine heart was extracted 10 days after PR and Azan staining specimen was histologically evaluated to investigate the myocardial damage by PR. The transmural fibrosis in anatomical isthmus was found. We demonstrated the PR-induced electrical conduction delay in acute phase in vivo using continuous photosensitizer dosed canine model, which maintain the clinical photosensitizer concentrat.