Jeffrey, could you be more specific about imaging-guided cath? In an animal model you could induce LBBB by RF ablation using electroanatomic mapping. Alternatively you can apply RF energy at sites where your catheter records the LBB potential without EAM.

Tchavdar, I agree fully except where EAM is unavailable. I believe you describe a catheter that can simultaneously map- can you suggest the technology and "brand"? for this? When I said "image guided cath" I was referring (and was not clear certainly!) of using RF but without sensing capability. We have since learned that mapping is critical even in a method development project. Excellent response and thank you.

You can use regular RF ablation catheters by St. Jude Medical, Medtronic, Biotronic... Actually, any commercially available RF ablation catheter can do the job (if you use animals with human size heart). You can map and ablate at the same time. If you want to induce LBBB without mapping I guess you have to ablate at the presumed location of the LBB. But this can take longer and probably will not always provide the necessary result. Besides, theorically, extensive ablation can injure enough myocardial tissue to induce heart failure even without achieving LBB.

Hank you- that has been my concern- having the right preparation and equipment to be efficient and to not waste energy (literally!) as well as potentially create erroneous counterproductive lesions.