Production of chronic atrioventricular block in dogs without thoracotomy.

Abstract

A method has been described for the production of chronic complete atrioventricular block in dogs without thoracotomy. This consists of the injection of formalin (40% formaldehyde) into the region of the bundle of His through a Ross transseptal needle under fluoroscopic guidance. A detailed description of the method is included. The success rate of 50% with this technique is comparable to that of methods involving thoracotomy and atriotomy, but the method involves less expenditure of time and less disturbance to the heart and medi-astinal structures.