Feasibility of MR-guided RF Ablation and Lesion Evaluation in an Isolated Beating Pig Heart Platform

Motivation: Validation of interventional cardiovascular MR procedures such as radiofrequency ablation within controlled environments and correlation of findings with histopathological outcomes remains elusive. Goal(s): To evaluate the feasibility of MR-guided radiofrequency ablation in an isolated pig heart platform and to assess post-ablation lesions. Approach: Combining a previously reported isolated pig heart platform, interventional cardiac catheters tuned to 3T tracked in real-time, and RF ablation and assessment in a clinical MR environment. Results: Imaging and catheter navigation were combined to provide detailed visualization and characterization of ablation lesions, including reduced cardiac function (EFpre=24% vs EFpost=8%) and lesion core native T1 (T1pre=1286±41 ms vs T1post=1059±160 ms). Impact: The collaborative combination proposed here lays the groundwork for future innovations in MR-guided cardiac interventions by offering real-time imaging, lesion characterization, and a controlled platform for testing new techniques.