Abstract:
Gastric motility is coordinated by underlying bioelectrical 'slow wave' activity. Slow wave dysrhythmias are associated with motility disorders, including gastroparesis, offering an under-explored potential therapeutic target. While ablation is widely used to treat cardiac arrhythmias, this approach has not yet been trialed for gastric electrical abnormalities. We hypothesized that ablation can create localized conduction blocks and modulate slow wave activation. Radiofrequency ablation was performed on the porcine serosa in vivo, encompassing a range of parameters (55-85°C, adjacent points forming a line, 5-10 s per point). High-resolution electrical mapping (16×16 electrodes; 6×6 cm) was applied to define baseline and acute post-ablation activation patterns. Tissue damage was evaluated by H&E and c-Kit stains. Results demonstrated that RF ablation successfully induced complete conduction block and a full thickness lesion in the muscle layer at energy doses of 65-75°C for 5-10 s per point. Gastric ablation may hold therapeutic potential for gastric electrical abnormalities in future.