Key result
Image-guided focused ultrasound achieves non-invasive cardiac pacing in pigs using contrast agents to overcome attenuation.
Why the study?
No non-invasive cardiac pacing device acceptable for prolonged use in conscious patients currently exists.
Does High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) enable effective and safe non-invasive cardiac pacing in a preclinical pig model?
Does High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) enable effective and safe non-invasive cardiac pacing in a preclinical pig model?
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) demonstrates feasibility and acute safety for non-invasive cardiac pacing in a preclinical pig model.
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Preclinical feasibility in pigs supports further device optimization; leaves open human translation pending dedicated safety and efficacy trials.
Marquet et al. (2016) studied Normal cardiac function (animal model) (n=14). Image-guided focused ultrasound (HIFU) vs. Baseline sinus rhythm / unsonicated control regions was evaluated on Acoustic threshold for reliable cardiac stimulation (≥90% success rate). Image-guided focused ultrasound successfully achieved non-invasive cardiac pacing in a pig model, with consistent in vivo stimulation requiring the use of ultrasound contrast agents to overcome acoustic attenuation.
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