An Ovine Model for Percutaneous Pulmonary Artery Laser Denervation: Perivascular Innervation and Ablation Lesion Characteristics

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 22; no. 16; p. 8788
• Main Authors: Condori Leandro, Heber Ivan, Koshevaya, Elena G., Mitrofanova, Lubov B., Vakhrushev, Aleksandr D., Goncharova, Natalia S., Korobchenko, Lev E., Andreeva, Elizaveta M., Lebedev, Dmitry S., Mikhaylov, Evgeny N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 16.08.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Ablation; Adipose tissue; animal model; Animals; Body fat; Catheters; Denervation; Hemorrhage; Hypertension; Innervation; Laser ablation; Lasers; Lesions; Lungs; Necrosis; Pulmonary arteries; Pulmonary artery; pulmonary artery denervation; pulmonary hypertension; S100 immunolabeling; Sheep; Veins & arteries
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168788

Background: Pulmonary artery denervation (PADN) is an evolving interventional procedure capable to reduce pulmonary artery (PA) pressure. We aimed to compare PA nerve distribution in different specimens and assess the feasibility of an ovine model for a denervation procedure and evaluate the acute changes induced by laser energy. Methods: The experiment was divided into two phases: (1) the analysis of PA nerve distribution in sheep, pigs, and humans using histological and immunochemical methods; (2) fiberoptic PADN in sheep and postmortem laser lesion characteristics. Results: PA nerve density and distribution in sheep differ from humans, although pigs and sheep share similar characteristics, nerve fibers are observed in the media layer, adventitia, and perivascular tissue in sheep. Necrosis of the intima and focal hemorrhages within the media, adventitia, and perivascular adipose tissue were evidenced post laser PADN. Among the identified lesions, 40% reached adventitia and could be classified as effective for PADN. The use of 20 W ablation energy was safer and 30 W-ablation led to collateral organ damage. Conclusions: An ovine model is suitable for PADN procedures; however, nerve distribution in the PA bifurcation and main branches differ from human PA innervation. Laser ablation can be safely used for PADN procedures.